The Milk Men - Holy Cow!
Holy Cow!, the latest album from The Milk Men, a band known for their innovative R&B take on the blues-rock sound, does more than just continue the milk themed titles of albums such as attention grabbing debut Full Phat and previous studio offering, 2022's excellent Spin The Bottle.
Album number five sees the band – former Pirates drummer Mike Roberts, bassist Lloyd Green (son of guitar/ Pirates legend Mick Green), husky blues-hued singer Jamie Smy and guitarist Adam Norsworthy – becoming more dynamic and diversified within their sound, whilst still being very much a modern sounding, Feelgood (in both band and vibe sense) R&B band.
Holy Cow! is also the rawest and leanest the band have sounded in the studio; overdubs have been kept to a minimum to create an intentional live feel, as captured in the production by Adam Norsworthy and House Of Tone's Wayne Proctor, who also supplied the uncluttered and complementary mix.
The album opens with the rhythmically snappy and blues sharp brace of lead-off singles 'One Man Band' and 'Hungover,' both written by the band's primary songwriters Jamie Smy & Adam Norsworthy.
The former is a country-rock R&B groover with a sing-along "raise your hands" chorus that’s guaranteed to do just that when played live. The latter is a mid-tempo R&B boogie about lacking self-discipline, being susceptible to bad influences and alright, just one more pint (of milk, obviously).
That opening brace is quintessential, fun, trademark Milk Men but the quartet step out, step up and deliver even creamier textures across the ensuing eight tracks.
'Give A Little Love' for example, is a funky little number featuring a great bass line from Lloyd Green.
The band embrace their inner Stevie Wonder on this track, whilst also adding a soupçon of disco-funk in the vocal arrangement.
'Wild Girls,' by contrast, is a rhythm & dance-pop number with ear-wormery chorus and an empowering lyric about strong women thriving in what is still seen as a man’s world (as many a Milk Men fan is aware, the band’s lyrics, while sprinkled with more typical rock and roll fare, often look to the bigger picture, including the observational and reflective).
'Easy Touch,' one of two Lloyd Green co-penned numbers, is an infectious mid-tempo rock and roller that carries such well-dovetailed harmony vocals that it’s akin to The Everly brothers doing The Rolling Stones. The pacier and punchy rock and roll of 'Bad News Blues' carries a discernible Pirates R&B vibe, which immediately confirms itself as the second Lloyd Green co-write.
The ZZ Top meets driving shuffle of 'Fill Her Shoes' is yet another winner, bolstered further by a melodic rock underbelly, punctuating "woo-hoo" backings and a tasty little guitar solo from Adam Norsworthy.
Heading downtempo, and sure to become a fan favourite and Milk Men classic, is 'Fool For Loving You.'
With subtle George Harrison undertones, 'Fool For Loving You' is a delicately arranged, slightly jazz shaded slow ballad that features a lovely vocal from Jamie Smy and dovetailing guitar remarks from Adam Norsworthy.
The catchy rhythm of 'Misty Road,' which owes much to peak-era Fleetwood Mac (Adam Norsworthy’s guitar play and solo nod more than a little to Lindsey Buckingham) is yet another winner, but the band leave the best to last with closing ballad 'Don’t Trust My Life,' which lyrically deals with the anguish of insecurities and anxiety.
Led by a gorgeous guitar melody line and featuring a tenderly delivered vocal from Jamie Smy (backed by some lovely Hammond from guest player Bennett Holland and fittingly sympathetic solo from Adam Norsworthy), 'Don’t Trust My Life' is a touching and well considered finale to The Milk Men’s finest album yet.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Album number five sees the band – former Pirates drummer Mike Roberts, bassist Lloyd Green (son of guitar/ Pirates legend Mick Green), husky blues-hued singer Jamie Smy and guitarist Adam Norsworthy – becoming more dynamic and diversified within their sound, whilst still being very much a modern sounding, Feelgood (in both band and vibe sense) R&B band.
Holy Cow! is also the rawest and leanest the band have sounded in the studio; overdubs have been kept to a minimum to create an intentional live feel, as captured in the production by Adam Norsworthy and House Of Tone's Wayne Proctor, who also supplied the uncluttered and complementary mix.
The album opens with the rhythmically snappy and blues sharp brace of lead-off singles 'One Man Band' and 'Hungover,' both written by the band's primary songwriters Jamie Smy & Adam Norsworthy.
The former is a country-rock R&B groover with a sing-along "raise your hands" chorus that’s guaranteed to do just that when played live. The latter is a mid-tempo R&B boogie about lacking self-discipline, being susceptible to bad influences and alright, just one more pint (of milk, obviously).
That opening brace is quintessential, fun, trademark Milk Men but the quartet step out, step up and deliver even creamier textures across the ensuing eight tracks.
'Give A Little Love' for example, is a funky little number featuring a great bass line from Lloyd Green.
The band embrace their inner Stevie Wonder on this track, whilst also adding a soupçon of disco-funk in the vocal arrangement.
'Wild Girls,' by contrast, is a rhythm & dance-pop number with ear-wormery chorus and an empowering lyric about strong women thriving in what is still seen as a man’s world (as many a Milk Men fan is aware, the band’s lyrics, while sprinkled with more typical rock and roll fare, often look to the bigger picture, including the observational and reflective).
'Easy Touch,' one of two Lloyd Green co-penned numbers, is an infectious mid-tempo rock and roller that carries such well-dovetailed harmony vocals that it’s akin to The Everly brothers doing The Rolling Stones. The pacier and punchy rock and roll of 'Bad News Blues' carries a discernible Pirates R&B vibe, which immediately confirms itself as the second Lloyd Green co-write.
The ZZ Top meets driving shuffle of 'Fill Her Shoes' is yet another winner, bolstered further by a melodic rock underbelly, punctuating "woo-hoo" backings and a tasty little guitar solo from Adam Norsworthy.
Heading downtempo, and sure to become a fan favourite and Milk Men classic, is 'Fool For Loving You.'
With subtle George Harrison undertones, 'Fool For Loving You' is a delicately arranged, slightly jazz shaded slow ballad that features a lovely vocal from Jamie Smy and dovetailing guitar remarks from Adam Norsworthy.
The catchy rhythm of 'Misty Road,' which owes much to peak-era Fleetwood Mac (Adam Norsworthy’s guitar play and solo nod more than a little to Lindsey Buckingham) is yet another winner, but the band leave the best to last with closing ballad 'Don’t Trust My Life,' which lyrically deals with the anguish of insecurities and anxiety.
Led by a gorgeous guitar melody line and featuring a tenderly delivered vocal from Jamie Smy (backed by some lovely Hammond from guest player Bennett Holland and fittingly sympathetic solo from Adam Norsworthy), 'Don’t Trust My Life' is a touching and well considered finale to The Milk Men’s finest album yet.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ