{"id":13156,"date":"2024-12-12T23:53:42","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T04:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=13156"},"modified":"2024-12-15T16:43:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T21:43:06","slug":"review-galactic-cowboys-the-ranch-that-matt-hunt-bought-the-metal-blade-years-on-cd-and-vinyl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/12\/review-galactic-cowboys-the-ranch-that-matt-hunt-bought-the-metal-blade-years-on-cd-and-vinyl\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Galactic Cowboys – The Ranch That Matt (Hunt) Bought (The Metal Blade Years on CD and Vinyl)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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But I\u2019ll tell ya, at the end of the day, you\u2019ve got to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and know that you\u2019ve loved your neighbor and treated him right \u2026 treated him right\u2026 treated him right<\/em>…<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Original Cowboys<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most revered (especially by other musicians) progressive metal bands of the \u201890\u2019s, Galactic Cowboys have left a legacy of great music in the wake of their sometimes turbulent, yet richly productive career. Their mix of witty lyrics, aggressive thrashy guitars and Beatles-esque harmonic singing was totally original at the time. Furthermore, their music has largely held up as enjoyable over the course of the past three decades.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Portnoy Praise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, Dream Theater, who carried the Cowboys as an opening act on their Images and Words<\/em> tour (\u201892\/\u201993), are some of the band\u2019s best-known musician fans, drummer Mike Portnoy even joining the band on the stage to sing during that tour. Portnoy is often quoted touting the Galactic Cowboys as \u201cone of the great bands of the time\u201d and remains friends with several of the band members to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, despite the accolades of press, musicians and fans alike, a band called Nirvana came along and the rest was history \u2026 well actually, Nevermind<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At The End of Geffen\u2019s Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While many music critics and fans alike rank those first two Geffen records (see discography below) as quintessential Galactic Cowboys output, the Houston, Texas natives were not anywhere near the end of their creative day despite the devastating release of the band from David Geffen Records and the subsequent departure of guitarist Dane Sonnier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wally\u2019s World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, and to the Galactic Cowboys’s credit, instead of trying to recreate the magic crafted with Sonnier, they charted a new course with then guitar tech\/subsequent guitarist and eventual producer Wally Farkas (molkenmusic.com), an event fueled by the synchronous signing of Galactic Cowboys by Metal Blade Records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metal Blade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, as David Geffen\u2019s loss became Brian Slagel\u2019s gain, the Galactic Cowboys \u2013 while not becoming the prodigiously promised \u201cnext big thing\u201d \u2013 were mercifully granted new life. Four years and four full-length releases plus an EP later the prelude to the millennial eclipse passed \u2026 and the rest is Galactic Cowboys history. Yet despite the efforts of our protagonists, their music never received the treatment it deserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brutal Planet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, time has not erased these Metal Blade era gems. Along comes Matthew Hunt (Brutal Planet Records), purveyor of metal history, with his crew of metal resurrectionists, to construct a \u201cbox\u201d set comprising all the Metal Blade era releases \u2013 reissued and remastered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Box That Bud Bought<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not only have the releases been remastered by Rob Colwell, but they\u2019ve also been lavishly repackaged into 4 thin triple gatefold CD wallets in one cardboard sleeve featuring new artwork from Monty Colvin on the box cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Machine Fish<\/em> and Feel the Rage<\/em> are two discs in one, while the other three releases have their own CD wallets. Hence, five discs are packaged into four in this exclusive set limited to 500 copies worldwide. Each release features full lyrics\/credits printed on the glossy gatefold sleeves, except for the lyrics from \u201cParadigm Shift\u201d and the two cover songs on Feel the Rage.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cowboys on Vinyl<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the CD box, Matt Hunt has also released the Galactic Cowboys Metal Blade years on vinyl for the first time ever \u2013 Machine Fish<\/em> (2022) and the other three in 2024. All of them feature double gatefold layout, poly-lined sleeves with 2 LPs each. Hence, literally\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ranch That Matt (Hunt) Bought<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Machine Fish<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Significantly, this album, produced by the band\u2019s own Alan Doss, represented not only new life for the Galactic Cowboys on Metal Blade but also featured the new guy \u2013 Wally Farkas \u2013 on guitar. And with the personnel change came the change in style\/sound \u2026 sort of. Below are segments of a review from my archives when Machine Fish<\/em> was originally released January 30, 1996.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Retro Review<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Here, a big change in style is evident without losing the key elements of success. The new guitarist, Wally Farkas, does add a more alternative buzz to the sound, which will immediately disturb old GC fans. I do not find this to be the case. While I miss the old sound, this disc stands on its own as excellent new material. Yes, there is a definite nod to the contemporary sounds of the 90’s, but the songs are still GC at the core. The heavy bass-driven riffs and harmonious vocals are still present in abundance. Every song on this album has a catchy hook and chorus, making this the most accessible release to date. <\/em>9.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CD Reissue<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the main criticisms, from my standpoint, with Machine Fish<\/em> was the overly treble-y loudness factor in the master. Although Monty\u2019s bass guitar is prominent in the mix there is a harshness to the sound which is more noticeable when I go back and listen to the original all these years later. As a result, the remastered CD (not remixed) remains largely unchanged, although the triple gatefold wallet is lavishly adorned with lyrics\/credits and artwork, housing both Machine Fish\/Feel the Rage<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vinyl Perks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

However, the vinyl \u2013 by its nature \u2013 does offer a different listening experience with less harshness and the deeper tones more evident. Pressed on transparent deep blue vinyl, the monstrously heavy riffs come to full life as the record spins, and one reflects upon just how truly \u201cmetal\u201d these highly emotional tunes are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, one of the perks on the vinyl (not included on the CD reissue) is the 2022 commentary by Monty Colvin on the origin story of the album\u2019s songs and how the band got signed to Metal Blade amidst their post Geffen demise. In that piece, Monty points out the wide array of emotions on display \u2013 fear, stress, anger, frustration, uncertainty and even hope. Of course, their omnipresent sense of humor (\u201cPsychotic Companion<\/strong>,\u201d \u201cPattin\u2019 Yourself on the Back<\/strong>\u201d) shines forth amidst all the darkness!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional Fish<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, it was these emotions and their ability to connect with fans and other musicians alike which made Machine Fish<\/em> such an embraceable collection of songs and honestly, they remain so to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Machine Hits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of this review isn\u2019t to discuss each song, but the first four tracks here are all brilliant \u2013 that one-two punch of \u201cFeel the Rage<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cThe Struggle<\/strong>\u201d sets the tone of heaviness. I feel \u201cStress,<\/strong>\u201d with those massive grooves, should follow as thematically it fits with the previous two songs. And then hit us with the ray of melodic bliss encouragement which is \u201cFear Not<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Song order aside, other highlights include the witty \u201cIn This Life<\/strong>,\u201d the balladic \u201cEasy to Love<\/strong>,\u201d the nostalgic \u201cRed Sun<\/strong>,\u201d the groove monster \u201cIdle Minds<\/strong>,\u201d and the more somber yet equally enthralling tracks \u201cIn a Lonely Room<\/strong>\u201d and \u201c9th<\/sup> of June<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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