BIG COCK – Big Cock

Those guys from ex-King Kobra/Keel/Lizzy Borden/Lynch Mob are back with a sophomore release of old-fashioned 80’s style Hard Rock. Yes, that four-piece band known simply as Big Cock is in the spotlight again with fourteen tracks of their brand of Hedonistic and good time Rock full of lyrics heavy on sexual innuendos (okay, “innuendos” is a little mildly put for these guys). The album is simply self-titled as Big Cock.

For those unfamiliar with the band, Big Cock is composed of vocalist Robert Mason (ex-Lynch Mob), guitarist Dave Henzerling (a.k.a. David Michael-Phillips of King Kobra), John Covington on drums, and “Colby” on bass. They like to write Hard Rock songs about Women, Booze, getting crazy and having fun. Most of the time it’s a quandary trying to figure out how serious they take their music and their lyrics. Are they serious about having fun … or having fun being not serious, or, even worse, both? Whatever the case, these guys have the arcane talent to drop the “F”-bomb on Big Cock with the panache of making it sound artistic versus sounding vulgar.

Now, fourteen tracks might seem like a scrumptious value for the price but, alas, two or three of these tracks have a “different approach” compared to the other quality Hard Rock tracks. Overall, Big Cock has more of an 80’s “Hair”/Hard Rock sound and foundation compared to some of the more Blues-based songs on their debut release (The Year Of The Cock), which is a good thing for fans of Big Cock’s former bands (especially King Kobra and Lynch Mob).

After a twenty second intro, or proclamation of the band’s premise and “attitude,” be prepared to get “cocked” by “Fucked Up!” with its artistic “F”-Bombs aplenty. It’s safe to say King Kobra fans will be pleasantly surprised by this track as it would have had no problem whatsoever of fitting onto King Kobra’s Ready To Strike debut. Just impressive is the next song, “Real Man,” as it would have fit into the “soundscape” of the debut Lynch Mob release. Rehashes you might ask? Certainly not! Both tunes are done in the musical vein of the aforementioned former bands, but with Big Cock’s “good time” feel, delivery, and attitude.

“Ride On Me” and “Rock Hard” are both quality basic Hard Rock tracks, then comes, perhaps, the most unexpected cover tune of the year, Paul Anka’s “She’s A Lady,” which was a trademark song of none other than Mr. Tom Jones. Seems like an oxymoron for Big Cock to categorize any woman on this CD as a “Lady” (no disrespect meant gents). Astonishingly, the cover works quite well and proves to be extremely catchy and entertaining!

“So Easy Bein’ Me” is a catchy, upbeat Blues-based romp followed by more of a ballad in “Every Inch Of My Love” (“innuendo”?). This one might be a ballad, but it’s a Robert Mason “showcase,” which proves he’s never sounded better! “Dirty Girl” is another winning, classic 80’s-sounding rocker delivered with that certain “Cock-iness.”

Now the bad news, which might be “hard to swallow” (ouch!), “Scottsdale Girls” … why? This sounds like a song for a 1960’s movie soundtrack (think the Tom Hank’s produced That Thing You Do) replete even with handclaps! It’s not awful, it just seems misplaced and out of character. “Let’s Make Love” has an almost Country Rock feel to it due to its back-up chorus, acoustic guitar, and percussion arrangement.

Bottom line, this Big Cock release seems to come to the party with “Big Balls” compared to the band’s debut. This second offering seems to have more of the music these guys were famous for in the early 80s and 90s. The lyrics and innuendos are more sexual than on other releases but, for those easily offended, the great music more than compensates. This one is a Hard Rock winner for 2006!

Lineup

Robert Mason – Vocals
David Henzerling – Guitars, Vocals
Colby – Bass
John Covington – Drums, Percussion