Chicago Tribune
June 1997
Cobra Verde, Egomania (Love Songs)
(four stars)

Creating classic rock in the best sense of the term, this Ohio quartet meshes instrumental prowess, great songwriting, passion and a dark edge in ways that one rarely encounters today. Add to that a genuine understanding of the blues and its relation to rock and you've got an uncommonly complete package. On this assortment of singles and newer songs, Cobra Verde flashes all of its numerous skills. Tunes like "Everything to You" and "A Story I Can Sell" integrate the power of '70s hard rock with hook-strewn songcraft and sophisticated arrangements, while "Leather" and "For My Woman" smolder with a stripped-down, straight-ahead swamp blues fury. And on the brooding acoustic ballad "Until It's Gone," CV musters a delicacy that that's as impressive as its more typical ferocity. In a final display of versatility, the LP closes with fine covers of Per Ubu's "Chinese radiation" and (gulp) the Association's "Never My Love."