The Cops are a unique bunch of rag taggers from the east coast of Australia. Stomp On Tripwires is their first full length album and it really has the rock. The best thing about this album is it never lets up.
The Cops are:
Simon “Cartel” Carter – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Cowbell
Jimmy Stacks – Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Andrew Gilbert – Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Beck Darwon – Bass Guitar
Nick “Nasty” Kennedy – Drums and Percussion
Track 1 – SPOC
Well, like the Cops themselves, this song is unique, and very backwards. In fact it is backwards, play it in reverse and it makes sense, though not much. SPOC sounds better the way it is and it’s just a fun way to start of album, and a very different type of intro track.
Rating: 2/5
Track 2 – Foxtrot Yankee
This is where the fun begins. An awesome and very loud track, great for dancing on the coffee table and smashing up you air guitar. The lyrics can be very confusing, who on earth would sit around with a sack full of oestrogen I don’t know, but this track high lights the rock pizzazz that is the Cops. This is one of the defining songs on the album and a live favourite.
Rating 4.5/5
Track 3 – Cop CITY Music
A very mellow track from the rockers highlights the big city living, especially on the streets. But it can’t be that bad when the cockroaches turn to you and say *insert guitar solo* but maybe that’s just the drugs. A solid track that is really quite simply, but proves for great listening.
Rating 3.5/5
Track 4 – Rectify
Turn the volume up again, Rectify is a rocking track. Drum machines and guitars with some pulsing rock lyrics and something about a Ford van. Fast and loud, another solid rock track with a killer tune.
Rating: 4/5
Track 5 – Be My Lover
This track has a really catchy tune but of all the songs on this CD it’s the one I find that I usually skip. Very rock, great lyrics, but one of the lesser songs on the disc.
Rating: 3/5
Track 6 – Dirty Little Rebel
An electric guitar introduces the track with a simple tune followed with the acoustic work as the verse begins. Simply guitar work with out there lyrics proves to be a winner and a live favourite. A softer slower song but it still has the punch. Great track.
Rating: 4/5
Track 7 – Mr. Pretty Things
Sounds slightly like late 80’s American era rock, and the lyrics match it. Unwashed jeans, 3 day growth, Chevy’s and the occasional freight train with the heavily distorted guitars make for a mean tune, definitely one to play loudly to annoy the neighbours.
Rating: 4/5
Track 8 – Wallet/Puffer/Smokes/Keys
Freaks, Love, Peace and Booty. Throw in a cowbell and you’ve got one of the best tracks on the CD. Catchy and completely rock, the Cops are making sure we don’t leave the house without our Wallet, Puffer, Smokes or Keys. The verse does repeat itself and it can become repetitive if you start listening to this song 24/7 but all out it’s an awesome piece of music.
Rating: 5/5
Track 9 – Street Panther
Now this is where things get a little psychedelic. Listening to this track makes me feel like I’m riding along the beaches of Malibu on a scooter with a glass of pineapple juice surrounded by girls in colourful bikinis with eternal rainbows in the sky. Very different style of music but interestingly great.
Rating: 4.5
Track 10 – Don’t F*#^ With My Sugar
The rock comes back with a barrage of curse words (not that we care). Very loud but can get repetitive but this song has a great bridge tune with lyrics about bus drivers and Rottweilers.
Rating: 4/5
Track 11 – She Sleeps With Guns
The first time I heard this song the lyrics sounded like “She Sleeps With Girls”, but unfortunately the song is not about beautiful women sleeping with each other, but women sleeping with guns. Significantly slower than most tracks on the CD, it opens with some Japanese string and a sitar. Throw in an acoustic guitar and a keyboard and you get the very unique track She Sleeps with Guns. My personal favourite on the disc.
Rating: 5/5
Track 12 – The Shake
Rock again. This is another of the CD’s highlights. Whatever golden nugget riffs are we shall never know but the somewhat backwards lyrics fit the tunes perfectly and The Shake is forged.
Rating: 4.5/5
Track 13 – Treat You Like A Dog
Still upbeat from The Shake, Treat You Like a dog is another catchy rock tune. Embrace the progressions and lyrics as you try and figure them out. Who cares? This song rocks.
Rating: 4/5
Track 14 – Cobra Nights
The guitar work in this track can get a tiny bit repetitive, but its still a decent track without letting down the momentum from the tracks before it.
Rating: 3/5
Track 15 – Fisticuffs
To finish the CD things are slowed down again in a funk style manner. The Keyboards are pulled out again and things get a little sexy. Fisticuff is a great little number to finish things up with.
Rating: 4/5
Stomp on Tripwires doesn’t let up with its musical barrage and that’s what makes this such a great CD to listen to in the car, parties or alone. If you ever see it around make sure you give it a look over. It may be difficult finding the CD to far out of Australia but you can order it online.
Pros:
- Good Experimental Rock Music
- Foxtrot Yankee
- The Cowbell
Cons:
- Some Solo's seem pretty basic
- The Drum Machine effect on some of the tracks can be offputing
Stand Out Tracks:
-Foxtrot Yankee
-Dirty Little Rebel
-Rectify
-Wallet/Puffer/Smokes/Keys
-She Sleeps With Guns
-The Shake
**All tracks can be heard for free at www.copsmusic.com.au where you can also order the CD’s and all the usual stuff that you would expect from a band website**
enjoy.~
