Album review: Cosmic Chaos “Eye Can See” release show set for Feb 5

Psych rockers Cosmic Chaos have been a prominent fixture on show rosters around Austin recently. Those lucky enough have seen them live understand the intense energy they bring to the stage. The band is  steeped in the local music scene, hosting a series of regularly-scheduled showcases themed The Acid Test. Cosmic Chaos has been busy in the studio too, recording their first full-length album, Eye Can See which will see its release February 5 at Cheer Up Charlies. The entire bill is worth checking out with Denton’s electric Acid Carousel and Magic Rockers of Texas also performing. Incidentally, Magic Rockers’ guitarist Jim Campo engineered the new record.  My Mistress opens the show which is a Texas tour launch as well as an album release. The brief tour will follow Cosmic Chaos and Acid Carousel to San Marcos, Bryan, Houston and Denton.

Originally from Bogota, Colombia, vocalist/guitarist Laura Mendoza was drawn to Austin by way of music. Trey Gutierrez, of Laredo, has played the drums for 11 years. Sam Blomgren runs the keyboard, guitar and backing vox, their original bassist, Caleb Wallace, Tanner Holtz (violin), and Joseph Villareal (conga) are all originally from Central Texas. Villareal and Blomgren were in a band together prior to joining Chaos, while Mendoza and Gutierrez met through a mutual friend of theirs and member of HYAH. Through a crisscross of networking and fated introductions, Cosmic Chaos formed.

You wouldn’t have the slightest clue from listening to the record, but the band experienced a metamorphosis while recording Eye Can See. After recording tracks “95 Del Sol” and “Antinomies,” founding bassist Nick Crespo left the band. Wallace took the helm at bass for the remaining tracks, with the exception of “Sorry About Ann,” for which Mendoza took over. On top of all that, Cosmic Chaos’ previous violinist parted ways with the band just prior to recording the LP and Tanner Holtz seamlessly took over on violin.  

                      

Opening the record with what teases Surf-Rock, “Adrenaline” quickly transitions to a feast of Neo-classic psychedelia.  It is carried by catchy bass and an intriguing lyrical delivery. The drums accent the track perfectly.

Cosmic ChaosIn the following number, “Destroyer,” drums are even more prominent, leading a significant increase in tempo.  At this early point in the album, the listener begins to sense that this band has something special they’ve made. 

“Antinomies,”  is more vocally-driven, exemplifying the range of a band and spotlights Laura’s songwriting. The complex structure of the track displays the maturity level and depth of ability of such a young band.

Every song on the 10-track album offers a deep, rich sound, emphasizing the group’s various talents.  The cherry on top is the talented Emma Boley of fellow Austin psych-rockers, The Boleys, is featured on flute for the recording. 

The mood of Eye Can See is all-smiles, emitting engaging, raw positivity. Drone-y vocal reverb, combined with emotive punk delivery evokes a psych-post punk sound. There is an extensive range of instrumentation that is not typically found within any one genre, at least not delivered this way; this is just one aspect of Cosmic Chaos that sets the band apart. It’s psychedelia with a touch of South American world-music, delivered  with a punk aesthetic.  The growth potential for a band that has only been around for as long as this act has should leave Austin music fans excited about what lies ahead for the band 

Cosmic Chaos members:

Laura Mendoza – vocals/guitar

Sam Blomgren – keyboard/guitar/Vox

Caleb Wallace – bass

Trey Gutierrez – drums

Tanner Holtz – violin

Jo Villareal – bongos/conga/percussion

David Alvarez – saxophone 

Eye Can See track listing:

Adrenaline

Destroyer

95 Del Sol

Eye Can See

Far Off

Sorry About Ann

Antinomies

Average Legs

Black Magic

Acid Rain

Recording Engineer: Jim Campo
Mixed by: Adam Fangsrud
Mastering Engineer: Nick Townsend

Album Cover: Dale Novak
Press Photos: Nikki Acosta
Tour Flyer: Inti Huaman