KOSMOS

"Kosmos" is the self-titled debut full-length studio album by Canadian, Montreal based rock act Kosmos. The album was released through The End Records in September 2007. Kosmos was formed around 2005/2006 and features among others Voivod drummer Michel Langevin.

The music on the album is psychadelic/space rock with the occasional nod towards krautrock. Repetitive organic beats, swirling psychadelic tinged synths/keyboards, and bass, organ and guitars that rock along. The music is mostly instrumental but there are sporadic vocals on the album courtesy of some guest singers.

While the album opens with the jam packed, cool and groove laden psychadelic track "Psycho", it already changes sound on the second track "Dream" which is pure krautrock with electronic tinged nods towards Kraftwerk. The 12 track, 43:58 minutes long album goes through a couple of those surprising changes ("Much Too Old" even features a disco beat), but as there are many similarities between the genres that the band embrace, and nothing sticks out on the album because it doesn't fit, the album features a good flow. The whole thing is very retro 70s sounding, and the album also features a suiting organic sound production.

The band are well playing and while the quality of the material drops a slight bit a couple of times during the playing time, "Kosmos" is overall a quality release, that celebrates the classic virtues of psychadelic/space rock (and occasionally krautrock). It's not necessarily the most original or unique sounding release, but that's of less importance, when the music is delivered with conviction and passion as it is here. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.