Patriot (CD)

Conceived in Madison, Wisconsin, Cougar's instrumental arrangements fall somewhere between Four Tet, Fugazi, and Nick Drake's guitar work, albeit optimistic as opposed to morose. The band's singular sound is rooted in a keen sensibility of form and texture, more in line with sample-based music and modern classical than indie rock - which isn't to say this is rock-as-academia" Cougar also invoke the roaring riff monster, the fist-in-the-air, anthemic head-banger to which so many groups give only an ironic nod.Cougar's second album, the forthcoming Patriot, is an aggressive, narrative affair that sees the band reach even greater extremes than on their debut, "Law." The epic, sparkling counterpoint of the first record crops up, but "Patriot" firmly establishes itself as a different music, one that shreds the lines between electronic, rock and modern, but never forgets to pay allegiance to the hook. From the nuanced drive of opener "Stay Famous", through the widescreen propulsion of "Florida Logic," the choral sweep and electronic/organic beats of "Rhinelander" and the space logic of "Pelourinho," the band lay out their stall early. The hard-rocking, polyrhythmic assault of "Thundersnow," the fuzzed out "Heavy Into Jeff," the melodic build and final explosion of "Endings," the summer melancholy of "Appomattox," and the Hammond-led uplift of "Daunte v. Armada" culminates in the final beauty of "Absaroka". It's a record which sounds completely consistent and of a piece, yet manages to range widely across musical genres and style.

• Format Detail: CD
• Format: CD
• Genre: Rock