By Vinnie Apicella

Sounds like some weird sort of intergalactic Star Trek alien opening narration here… and by the way, what? Wow, they're really going out with a bang aren't they-throwin' some funky beats our way here during this minute long nonsense! Okay, this is much better-thank you… "T.I.M." The Texan trio kicks up a duststorm of fiery fuzztones and rockets skyward on their new and rumored to be their final release under the 'Cowboys moniker. More busy rhythms and heavy doses of black and blue delivered the goods right to your door in a package bomb ready to explode-space in your face? As is generally the case, the tunes twist and turn in all different directions, at one point, starting with a "T.I.M." for openers, it's a whip-cracking back wrenching experience that plows through powerfully accentuating the 'Boys harder outlook, while the next two tracks go for a lighter shade of Kings-X type grind-pop… "Flag" captures elements of both while sticking with what so far is seriously drawn lyrical moments. Galactic Cowboys have remained fairly consistent throughout their ten year, seven album run… although I'm a little curious as to just what's happened with Bud here. Or maybe that's his son on the cover… There's an obvious monkey to be rid of here and aside from the side-splitting nature of the opening minute or two, along with the usual cartoonish surroundings, this is much more personal than I remember 'em to be… it's almost as though they've poured every ounce that's left in them into all seventeen of the tracks. Slickly produced, well written and a definite indication that their future now remains firmly planted on the ground, it's just what you expect a 'Cowboys record to be-first, last, and always…

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