Steven Casper & Cowboy Angst

Reviews & Press Kits

STEVE CASPER & COWBOY ANGST
Topanga Ranch Motel

Angst ain't the half of it. These cowboys are dipped in everything from cowpies to cowabunga and have a country edge, but they don't stop there. Toss in a bit of Foghat, Motown (that's right--- Motown!), San Francisco (the early 70s, which you can credit to violinist-with-angst Ross Levinson) and a whole lot of South cushioned (thankfully) by the less-than-Van-Zant voice of Casper (in this case, less really is more and haven't we all heard enough of those lame Southern Rock clones anyway?). But let us be honest here, the South is not the key anyway. It is the mix.

That mix is intriguing, "Through With You" feeding on Motown and modern rock, the melody line following Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Temptations' My Girl in short bursts. They sound nothing like either, so that may be a stretch, but the lines are there. It is straight up rock, no chaser, and when the violin and lead guitar duel, you get a small taste of what San Francisco gave us during those heady days of the late 60s and early 70s.

For sure there is cowboy in Cowboy Angst and they step in it on "Takes Me Back," one of those modern country tracks that Nashville is pretending is country though it is really rock. The band makes the difference here, weaving their way around Casper's voice just enough to make a point but not get in the way. They do it again on "I Want To Know," substituting a slowed down Foghat rhythm guitar and violin lead on the break. Maybe nothing groundbreaking, but impressive nonetheless.

No doubt, these guys can crank it out or lay it back. They crank it on "Down Home Girl," the heavy and chunky rhythm guitar riffs reminiscent of early ZZ Top on the rock side and the heavier side of The Charlie Daniels Band on the country. Topped off by Levinson's violin lead and Glen Lynskey's brassy lead guitar, it choogles its way through four minutes that you wish was ten at a minimum, but that is part of what makes you like these guys--- they don't overdo. There is taste and balance throughout and, man, it would be so easy to let Lynskey and Levinson take over because they are solid players, but the whole band is solid and the good ones know how to balance.

Casper and Angst are ready to make their move, I think, and opportunities to see them will mushroom. I think. Well, I hope. Maybe. Hmmmm... I think I'm beginning to see where all that angst is coming from. Maybe we should all just start checking the local venues to see if they are playing anywhere near. Just in case. Or buy the EP. Either/or. Or both.

Frank O. Gutch Jr.
SUPPORTING THE INDIES SINCE 1969
Review per Rock and Reprise

STEVE CASPER & COWBOY ANGST @ The Mint

The Players: Steven Casper, lead vocals and guitar; Glen Lynskey, lead guitar; Herb Dietelbaum, bass, backup vocals; Rose Levinson, violin, backup vocals; Jay Nowac, drums.

Material: If country music originated in the Allman Brothers' backyard, this is what it would sound like. Steven Casper & Cowboy Angst take liberties with both country music and Southern rock, but they do so in the best possible way. Casper has a knack for writing originals that sound like covers. Musically, the songs are immediately familiar, and even predictable. Though that's usually a negative characteristic, Casper and company make it work. Consequently, the material's familiarity is comforting and enjoyable -- a good trick, if you can pull it off.

Musicianship: The musicianship in this group is outstanding. Composed of seasoned players, these guys would even impress other musicians. Casper's voice like his music, is familiar in tone and expression. So much so, that you could swear you've heard it somewhere before, like perhaps in a commercial. His band is no less impressive. The rhythm section of Dietelbaum and Nowac are the perfect backdrop, while Levinson and Lynskey add just the right atmosphere to the music. Together, this act has something special going on.

Performance: Casper was generous with his players, allowing Levinson and Lynskey time for solos. There was also good camaraderie among the band members and Casper connected strongly with the audience. The only aspect that could show improvement involved the visuals. For pro-type players, who should know better, they didn't dress for the occasion. They have looked more like a band to complete the package. Nonetheless, it didn't affect the music.

Summary: Steven Casper & Cowboy Angst are remarkable in their predictability. Because of that, they could provider music supervisors with a library of choices. In fact, publishers should probably take note while they can. This is a band that could make a very good living supplying the music for film and television projects.

--Bernard Baur, MUSIC CONNECTION