Rainstick Cowbell releases Hand over the Heart

Artist URL: http://rainstickcowbell.com/

Rainstick Cowbell who goes by the name of Scott Arbogast is a hot running artist from Portland, Oregon. His latest CD released in 2014 is entitled “Hand over the Heart.” Nowadays making music is so accessible to anyone and being that we have the do it yourself attitude, it just makes sense. Most bands don’t want to sit around just waiting for someone to make our dreams come true, they are doing it themselves. This latest album by Rainstick Cowbell is an extremely thought provoking, at times captures the pure essence of intense Singer/Songwriter and Alternative Folk at its most intimate. All 11 tracks provide a intensely exhilarating experience that can tingle the senses into submission. In this aspect I think I get Arbogast. If you’re looking for a sappy love record this may not be for you. If your looking for The White Stripes – again not for you. If you are looking for something in simple but somewhat dark and clairvoyant – it’s the perfect record for you. The frontal core member of Abrogast and his guitar are at the forefront of each piece. His voice fits this style of music like a hand in glove. Rainstick Cowbell delivers middle ground between gripping ballads and raw honest al-rock subject matter. The first 2 tracks (Uncle Merv comes home to try to save the farm) and (The Perils of Patriotism) are like pouring gasoline on a fire. I guess the closest artist I would compare him to would be Ola Podrida. I can also hear Longhorn Slim, Patrick Park, Nathan Retekiff, Horse Feathers and even The Low Anthem.

Some feel music is a way to buzz the senses during any activity i/e concerts, clubs, dancing, exercising, getting drunk, all of the above and more – you get it. Some want to hear about love while other listeners want to go deeper and darker. From one of their more starker tracks “Our memories are revisionist at best” and “About Knowledge” to more straight forward “How I want to be Among You” to amazing “This Way Lies Madness, Not Meant for People” any music fan can find something they would enjoy in this mixture of superlative songs. I’ve bene to Portland, and I think Portland is the prefect locale for an artists like Rainstick Cowell to springboard from.

Rainstick Cowbell desperately need to find a local producer that can take him under his wing. Good and experienced Music Producers not only know all the best local area musicians, studios, mixers and mastering engineers – they also know how to maximize and get the most out of an artists sound. Arbogast has built an impressive foundation, but he needs to ad more variety to the songs as they are extremely dry

Rainstick Cowbell offers a sparse yet ample listening environment on “Hand over Heart” with a spirited, unfettered sound that will appeal to many. I feel it will encourage the listener to delve in life’s ride, no matter what the circumstance. In this aspect a guy like Arbogast deserves a lot of credit for bringing all that tougher. Rainstick Cowbell’s energetic, stimulating sound can be appreciated by anyone that enjoys music, even those who typically may not enjoy one particular style. I enjoyed this album sitting on my couch on full blast, with eyes closed eager to see where the musical journey took me .To be honest I had a few beers as well. This sounds so simple but it’s in this setting Rainstick Cowbell’s rollercoaster ride works its magic best on your senses.

CD BABY: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rainstickcowbell12

by Michael Nunley