To Do List: So Cow Playing the Lagerhouse

Irish indie poppers So Cow is coming to Detroit to play their up-tempo style of whirlwind melodic pop. Actually, So Cow is driven by one mastermind, Brian Kelly, who hails from the rainy, green plains of Tuam, Ireland. In 2006 he moved to South Korea where So Cow became a power trio that has since extensively toured The United States, Canada, and Europe.

So Cow has released several full-length Lp’s and EP’s, most notably the Self-titled LP (that is a compilation of the best of older self-released recordings) with a solid eighteen tracks of pure pop goodness that contains just enough dissonance to stray from pop fluff into driving, edifying fun. The standout tracks are “Casablanca”, a tune that would find its place in the 60′s British explosion, and “To Do List”, a list of all the things he ought to do in life that ranges from “yet to throw a cat into a washing machine,” to “yet to lose desire for your kiss.” That is just good fun.

The new full-length album is Meaningless Friendly released through Tic Tac Totally records. This new album has all of the charm of the self-titled album along with a cleaner, tighter sound that doesn’t rob So Cow’s sound of any of the charm that the cleaning-up process sometimes does with bands. The same strong pop melodies are still innovative and fresh. The lyrics have a great ironic edge. As an example , two must listen-to tracks are ”Random Girls” and “Dunno”. The latter track reminds me of a Warhol-era Velvet Underground track, but a little sweet despite the more progressive guitar work that flirts with a dark edge alongside Brian Kelly’s unreserved vocal style. I can’t say enough about how fun of a listen So Cow is.

PJ’s Lagerhouse is hosting a night of So Cow’s music that will be a definite pleaser. Superdollar and Jura will be playing as well. This will be starting at 9:00pm on Friday the 26th.