SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
May 1, 2003
Cobra Verde
Easy Listening
* * * (three stars)

It makes sense that Cleveland rockers Cobra Verde would enlist with Wayne Kramer's Muscletone Records for this, their fifth album. Like Kramer, who once wrecked havoc with the politically minded MC5, Cobra Verde plays rock 'n' roll for the thinking man. Not that they don't have a good time doing so. Complete with audience cheers, handclaps and backing singers, the first single, "Riot Industry," is a sardonic critique of consumer culture that you can sing along to. Elsewhere, the album varies from greasy rockers ("Modified Frankenstein") to glam rock sendups ("To Your Pretty Face"), all the while keeping rock's rebellious spirit alive without sounding too retro.
-- JEFF NIESEL