Album Review: Evolfo — Last of the Acid Cowboys
File next to: Black Keys, King Khan & the Shrines
The album’s title might conjure images of – depending on one’s musical frame of reference – the Flying Burrito Brothers or Cracker/Camper van Beethoven. As it turns out, Evolfo has little in common with either. On Last of the Acid Cowboys, the Brooklyn-based band showcases its own brand of garage- and soul-flavored song craft. Evolfo’s songs are atmospheric and visceral at the same time; an air of melodrama pervades the arrangements. The production style leans toward the lo-fi, clattering sonic textures of 60s-focused throwback bands, but Evolfo’s songwriting approach is rooted as much in 90s Britpop and modern styles as in the music of a half-century ago. The soul vibe comes through thanks to a crack horn section, judiciously employed on every song to good effect. The high-energy “Luv Like a Freak” is the disc’s most successful track, but Cowboys is a engaging disc throughout.
Watch for my Evolfo interview/feature, coming soon.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.