Balance act: El Cuero balances between genuine rock and the almost cliché-filled and parodic. Photo: Dino Trto

Jovially from old timers

El Cuero’s fifth album is a solid demonstration of catchy guitar rock, but lacks the great musical moments.

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Souls Under Red Light

  • By: El Cuero
  • Record label: Gravel Road Music

El Cuero has been the leading Norwegian Americana-rock band for over a decade. Actually, they had put the guitar on the shelf, but in Souls Under Red Light they take up their instruments again. Together with producer Bjarte Lund Rolland (Kvelertak), the band has created a swinging and melodic rock record.

The opening track «I'm Always Scared» sets the standard for what we have in store. The guitars are distorted, the chorus catchy and the text marked by anxiety and personal challenges. «While Our Life Goes By» and «The King Of Yesterday» continues along the same route before Monica Heldal guests the album on the quiet and pleasant ballad «For A Girl Like You.»

El Cuero can at times be popular and jovial to a fault. The band balances narrowly between genuine rock and the almost cliché-filled and parodic. On the album's single «Too Late To Go Back» and «Who Watches The Watchmen» they stumble slightly, while on the more relaxed «I Can See The Water» they show their best side with delicious blues guitar and fine vocal harmonies. «Looking Out For My Love» is also one of the album's highlights. The eight-minute track starts quietly but ends up in a whirlwind of a guitar solo.

Souls Under Red Light is a solid rock album, but lacks any major highlights. Despite several good melodies, sing-along friendly chorus and driving guitar riffs, it all becomes a little too easily digestible and lacking complexity. El Cuero’s jovial rock flair is nevertheless present and this no one can take from them.

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