Zen Again cd by Two Headed Cow

Review from Amazon:

Roots rock re-roasted for the 2010s. Good for what ails ya.

Two Headed Cow are a band from Kansas City who wears its heart on its sleeve. The song arrangements on this album are top notch and the vocals are bright and beautiful.

The album opener, “Flower Girls” opines a bygone era of cute hippie ‘chicks’ and the flower power generation in general. It’s a solid slice
of nostalgia, swimming in so much reverb I thought it was an Animal Collective production.

Funky guitar groove threads “A Little Bit Closer”, “Y.D.F.O.C.” and “Barfly”, and not a moment too soon. There’s a void in funk music these days (imho) and it’s nice to hear some rock/funk for a change of pace. These guys know how to rock.

“Tao Jones” is a Tom Petty-esque barn-burner which celebrates clear thinking. The riff is good and the lyrics (wrapped in a Subterranean Homesick chant) celebrate sensible thinking over following the herd.

The softer side of Two Headed Cow is represented by songs like “Paper Dolls” and “Thirteen”. The former a meditation on the empty
side of life, the latter a very real poem on the combined power of love and rock and roll, and its ability to bring people together.

“Have a Nice Day” takes a stab at selfishness in its lyrics while giving us some of the best rhythm guitar and soloing on the album. Definitely a stand-out track.

“Signs and Wonders” shines a ray of light into the proceedings
while referencing John Irving and boasts the best singing this band has recorded since their first album.

The albums closer “Strange Fishes” may be the best track here. It’s very beautiful with a haunting Nick Drake-ish lyric that implies irreversible regret. Ukele’s and rich harmonies accompany a portrait of Hawaii before the white man arrived to do his murderous work on those islands.

The guitar work is solid throughout and the vocal harmonies are
lush on every track. This is a good buy if you’re looking to get your warm, 70’s swerve on. It also has a good beat so you can dance to it.