The Cosmic Superheroes are a band out of North Carolina, and I have just received a copy of their new CD, Hell Yes Ma’am Sessions! Bluesy, rootsy rock and roll with boogie! I’m digging their sound. What caught my attention was that they covered “Peace Pipe” by Cry of Love, one of the greatest songs of the 1990s. They were also produced by John Custer, so you know the final result would sound good. And it does!
Check out the unboxing video below, and become familiar with the Cosmic Superheroes!
CRY OF LOVE – “Bad Thing” (1993 Columbia CD single)
“Just a new song, that I gotta sing…”
Cry of Love were awesome. Most frequently they were compared to the Black Crowes, but perhaps like many bands who live in the shadow, they might actually have been better. On a technical level, they had a better singer and a stellar lead guitarist. The original lineup with Kelly Holland (R.I.P.) was something truly special so you may as well try to get all the tunes you can. To do that, you’ll need some CD singles. “Bad Thing” was a single in 1993, featuring four tracks – one remix and three live.
Leading the single is “Bad Thing” in the form of a “New Mix”. It is admittedly hard to tell specific differences without doing an A/B test, but it is ever so slightly new. One thing for sure: “Bad Thing” is a wicked cool groove, with a thumping bassline and incredible guitar work from Audley Freed. The man has such a tube-y sound! There’s really nothing better than a Cry of Love groove with Audley and Kelly wailing!
The three live versions are pretty clean sounding. Live in the studio? Probably. Their big hit “Peace Pipe” is way, way groovy. The way that bass rolls just makes your guts rumble.
Tearing the temple down!
Burn down the sacred ground!
Tear the temple down!
In the name of God somehow.
Burn down the sacred ground!
Sing it Kelly! What a chorus. The powerhouse blues rocker made short work of it, drilling the song fully into your noggin. While your grey matter focuses on that melody, your intestines are shaken by the groove. Then Audley takes a solo and bam! Instant classic. The live version is very authentic to the studio original.
The Willie Dixon cover “I Ain’t Superstitious” takes the blues and cranks it right up. You’d be forgiven if you thought this was a lost Crowes tune, but Cry of Love rock it just a little bit harder. This one is a party so bring your dancing shoes. It boils and bubbles through a jamming middle section and finishes with a bangin’ flourish.
The 7:10 “Bad Thing” opens with a two minute slow blues jam. Audley’s wiry guitar tone here is different and cool. Then the drums and bass kick in and we’re groovin’! Killer version of a song that was already killer.
If you haven’t checked out Cry of Love yet, then what are you waiting for? You’ve had 30 years!
4.5/5 stars
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