The Stranger
June 18, 2003
Cobra Verde

(Crocodile) Since 1994, Cleveland's Cobra Verde have released five excellent albums of expert glam rockery. What started out as a studio-concocted, theremin-fed art-stomp has come around to the Cheap Trick-tinged art-swagger of their latest, Easy Listening (MuscleTone). Endless critical kudos and a stint backing up Bob Pollard in one of Guided by Voices' incarnations haven't translated into enough national attention, perhaps due to the usual indie label non-support and frequent lineup changes that have hindered steady touring. But singer John Petkovic has persevered, and this time 'round he's got J Mascis on lead-guitar duty, a perfect fit for their increasingly catchy but still twisted blast. -- Eric Davidson