State Cows Return With The Brilliant "Challenges"

Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were the core of Steely Dan. Two extraordinarily talented human beings who put out some of the most sophisticated jazz tinged rock ever. In the country of Sweden, they have Daniel Andersson and Stefan Olofsson, who are making music that honors the tradition started by Becker and Fagen. Their band, State Cows, (an anagram for the term "west coast") is the most authentic attempt, in the year 2019, to replicate Steely Dan, Toto, Sneaker, Far Cry or any number of bands that are now considered "Yacht Rock".

These two gentlemen understand and worship at the altar of the past. But they create their own original variations. The Cows have been at this since 2010, and this is their third full length album. Fans would obviously like more output. But the band refuses to rush their musical greatness to the world. Their new album "Challenges" is their most consistent effort to date. The boys have mastered their ability to create original compositions, with entertaining and thought provoking lyrics.

The album's lead track, "Borrowed Time", is their most catchy track to date. Lyrically the tune seems to hint in a subtle way that mother earth's days are numbered. Guest guitarist Michael Landau lays down a solo that only elevates the song further, giving it real headphone gravitas. There is humor to follow on "Darwin Awards", celebrating some of the more "challenged" folks among us. These guys write songs with Becker and Fagen in their rear view. The song itself has an Aja-Gaucho feel to it with a little more bounce. "All Over" keeps the pace friendly and mid-tempo mirroring an early 80's Al Jarreau feel. So far so good. In fact there is more musical substance at this point than on most complete albums. The harmonies are rich and dreamy and the guitar work is simply stellar.

"Deportee" is another humorous lyric with some creative nautical references and persistently smoking lead guitar parts. "Waiting For Love" has a wonderful keyboard and vocal intro that bounces joyously along with tons of west coast mojo. "I Got The Message" is more Toto with a driving opening, followed by big riffs and choruses and sizzling guitars. These guys are visiting all the right west coast landmarks. "Human Ladders" feels like another Steely Dan outtake with a piano riff that shouts jazz, followed by some sweet vocal lines. The tune is instantly memorable and very funky, especially during the keyboard solo. "Cease To Ever Have Been" returns to Aja and includes some tasty saxophone. This track could have gone seven minutes and I would have been celebrating even more. "Wildfire" is the upbeat closer. As if Michael McDonald has taken over on keyboards. Certainly a bit more Minute By Minute or One Step Closer. Andersson's guitar playing and Olofsson's keyboards co-mingle magically to the very last note.

In any other time-space continuum where the music scene hadn't gone all dark and computerized, this album would go down as one of the best for 2019. Few Americans will know or even care about State Cows. Many will dismiss this as merely homage. But what the music world needs more of is homage. In addition, these guys write intros and outros and guitar solos. They structure vocal parts and harmonies that are full and complimentary. These songs are all very well thought out. The musical ideas aren't fragmented. They are complete thoughts. And this is another reason why the Cows have come home, yet again, with another masterful work.