title: Cog The New Normal

date: April 2005

magazine: dB magazine

URL: http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/357/a-music.shtml

writer: Adam Hood

Cog
The New Normal
Difrnt Music/MGM

When Sydney based trio Cog first released their two consecutive EPs 'Just Visiting Part I' and 'Just Visiting Part II' about three years ago, it was clear that they were setting themselves up for a career which was going to be anything but short-lived. After much touring and promotion however, the group just slipped away from the spotlight, leaving a lot of dedicated followers questioning where things went wrong. It's now that all questions have been answered with the release of their debut album 'The New Normal' which, put simply, is phenomenal.

So far their debut has made its way to no.1 on the AIR charts and number 19 on the ARIA charts, which is impressive considering the little time it has been available. After listening to the recording more than a couple of times through, it's easy to fall in love with most songs for a number of varying reasons, but hard not to pay extra attention to tracks like The Spine and the outstanding Run, which acts as one of the more impressive vocal orientated tracks, containing amazing sections of multi-layered harmonies. Take note though that this is one of the instances where the best has undoubtedly been saved until last. The last two tracks, Doors and Naming The Elephant, each being just over ten minutes in length, incorporate all the finer musical moments showcased throughout the rest of the album, creating a twenty minute closing which will have you craving for more.

As far as production of this album is concerned, it's literally impossible to find fault with any aspect this release. Although making a criticism in this sense is liking trying to draw blood from a stone, I would say that in certain songs the drum mix seemed to be lacking a little bit, with some of the hi-hat and bass rhythms needing to be brought up a notch or two, but that's really just trying to find something to criticise for the sake of it.

This CD has not left my stereo since I first listened to it, and I have no doubt in my mind that this is going to be one of the more talked about releases for 2005. To put it simply, this is phenomenal.

Adam Hood