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Laika
and the Cosmonauts
Laika Sex Machine
 I
love surf music—that bouncy beat, that youthful energy, the
pounding of the tom-tom, the thin twang of the tremolo on the
guitar. That said, I've never felt the urge to have more than
a few surf-based albums in my collection, which is my excuse for
never having heard Laika and the Cosmonauts. Sure, I'd heard their
name a million times. But, little did I know what I was missing.
Laika
Sex Machine (Yep Roc) was recorded live over ten dates, and
demonstrates that surf-based music can be deeper, more lush, and
more musically challenging than the stereotype would indicate. Truthfully,
I'd guess there are surf purists (if such a beast exists) who would
suggest that being deeper, more lush, and more musically challenging
removes your name from the surf roster. But, I'd also guess that
doesn't bother the Cosmonauts much.
Still
present in their sound are the tremolo, wailing organ, and surf
beat of so many groups. But, the band has a knack for using that
foundation as a starting point for exploration rather than a destination.
The result is "sophisticated surf" without a single
drop of energy lost. My eyes have been opened. Perhaps my collection
needs to grow a little in this direction.
-Gary
Miller
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