osog - cowboys from Ukuhelle

OSOG

Cowboys from Ukuhelle
self-released; 2014

3.7 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

If you had told me, after listening to the highly southern and spicy mix that is Cowboys from Ukuhelle, that OSOG were from Israel I might have asked you to repeat yourself – until you said the right answer. Not Mexico? The way they wove that Texicana sound was a dead native giveaway, or so I thought. Now how about this factoid – the members of OSOG used to play in a Pantera tribute band. Needless to say, these guys are all over the map and carry a lot of musicianship wherever they go for whatever project they’ve chosen. Following a few long nights jamming on acoustics, the band switched gears and embarked on an 11-month steady rehearsal routine until they had the arsenal of songs and finances to match. This was surged heavily by a fantastic showing of fan support in the form of what we would call a  “Go Fun Me” account.

I was very impressed by this group’s website. It doesn’t necessarily speak for the music, but it definitely set me up for some quality expectations. The opening track “ Medicine” is stoic and chanted with country-fried intensity. I picture it as the so-long anthem of a gunman in the West taking his last stroll through town with a bullet wound.

I don’t think my ears can get back the vocal entry on “Blue.” Take it down a notch my friend. The song builds into a sweeping bar frolic and the growl finds a much better home in that context. “B.S.H.” rides like a jolly ole Johnny Cash number and then it’s over before you know it. However, it does return later in the album at a boot stomping tempo. The next track is a fun party song that borrows the refrain of “Wake Up Little Suzy” but puts a nice modern twist on it – “Wake Up in a Jacuzzi.” That’s funny and also a little alarming.

“Quixote” is beautifully done. Performed with stylistic excellence and perfect sound production from the string picks to the hi-hat stomps. It blurs the lines of “Hotel California” for just a second and then covers up with some authentic Mexicana magic.

“Please Don’t Leave Me” has a 60’s west coast feel as if the sound decided to travel a few miles up the Tijuana border. “Government is Organized Crime” hits the nail on the head. I’ve always had a special place for the active minds out there that know when something is corrupt. Hats off to you OSOG for being bold with your thoughts. The chorus is pronounced like a last rights with a chamber of drawling baritones that resonate even after the song is over.

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