Welterweight
Welterweight
self-released
Click to hear: “Remember the Maine”
Welterweight is the new project by veteran Portland indie-rocker Doug Cowan, best known as the frontman of Bullyclub. He’s joined by numerous other vets of the local indie scene, including longtime collaborator Jose Ayerve, the ubiquitous Todd Hutchisen, and Ryan Dolan and Neil Collins of Lincolnville (remember them?).
The first (and best) song on this EP, “Remember the Maine,” previously appeared on the eighth volume of Greetings From Area Code 207, released late last year. Fans hoping to hear more loud, sludgy stuff like that on this EP might be a bit disappointed.
“Flier” delivers the punchy rock goods, and the closer, “Mutiny On The Titanic,” has a riff you can chew on (plus some fun “yeah, yeah” backing vocals). But the other three songs are acoustic, rootsy excursions. The mix is reminiscent of Neil Young’s mid-’70s albums Zuma and American Stars ’N Bars, in style if not in awesomeness.
The breezy, banjo-inflected “Hilo” is catchy, and the pedal-steel-soaked country songs “Those Who Can’t Do” and “Girl Friday” won’t make you want to skip ahead. But if you’ve only got room for one Welterweight song on your iPod, it won’t be one of those.
Overall, Welterweight is a solid contribution by one of our most reliably listenable rock artists.
— Chris Busby
