Protein - Songs About Cowgirls

PROTEIN

This is the second of the only two albums released by this band ("Ever Since I Was A Kid" and "Songs About Cowgirls"). The PROTEIN cd's are simple rock and roll at its very best, with a few hints of the country-rock genre that Josh Zee (guitar, vocals) would eventually turn to with The Mother Truckers. Don't confuse simple with boring - this stuff is nowhere near boring. Josh knows how to write a hook and the PROTEIN songs are loaded with them. High brow this ain't, but the lyrics are witty and cynical and the musicianship of the three piece band is top shelf. Josh is a true master of the electric guitar - certainly one of the most interesting and dynamic players going today. PROTEIN is entirely unique but you may notice elements of early Toadies and Smashing Pumpkins backed by Angus Young with a little Frank Zappa and Chet Atkins occasionally tossed into the mix for style and texture. If you like the rockin' side of The Mother Truckers, or already have the first PROTEIN release and like it, this one is a safe bet - and arguably even quirkier than the first. Complete your PROTEIN collection while you can still pick up these gems on-line, and at least at the time of this review, at serious discounts. "In Tower Records, I saw my records, and both of them had been marked down." - TMT January 6, 2009

Trashy road house rock done right.

I went to a Kings X concert in 1999. As usual I expected to sit through a couple of sub-par opening acts before the headliner finally took the stage. The first band was forgettable. The second band was Protein. Not only was I floored by their flawless musicianship, I ran to the record store the next day and bought Songs About Cowgirls, a mostly meat and potatoes rock offering that combines elements of classic rock, country, punk, and comedy.

Protein knows how to get the party started with their clever brand of trashy road house rock, especially in a live setting. All of the tracks on this CD are unique in their own way. It probably wouldn't take much more than a third cousin of the Budweiser family overhearing the punkish "Drinking Song" to get it used in said company's next beer commercial. Another stand out track is "Going to L.A.," which is an ode to, you guessed it, playing in Los Angeles. Protein uses jangly country styled arrangements in the verses before ripping into an onslaught of power chords in the chorus. Some of the tracks on this disc are borderlining on "Ween" territory given the smartass, juvenile, and often satirical nature of the lyrics. Not to mention, the band alternates shamelessly and effortlessly between musical genres that are not often associated (punk and country??).

Guitarist and vocalist, Josh Zee has amazing guitar chops, as he so eloquently demonstrates on the instrumental breather in the middle of the album called "Intermission." However, the band overall is air tight as a unit. Unfortunately, Protein seems to have taken an extended sabbatical. In the meantime, Josh Zee is playing in a country type band called The Mother Truckers. But should they decide to reunite, it will be a joyous day for me indeed. August 8, 2003

Off the wall!

I saw these guys open for Mike Keneally's Beer for Dolphins in Seattle. We get used to crappy opening acts, so this was doubly unusual. They combine tight arrangements of goofy song concepts with an outstanding guitar player wringing magic from his strat. The virtuosity is not blatant, there is not much noodling going on. About the fifth time you listen to this disk, you're going to get slammed upside the head with how cool and fluid these guys are. Honestly, this record is quite brilliant in its own silly and powerful way. September 30, 2001

Innovative Guitar Rock lives on!

I saw these guys open up for King's X in Columbus, Ohio and was totally blown away. Thinking they were another local band, we didn't really care until Josh Zee (singer/guitarist) let loose. Amazing player! I agree that their stage show lacked a little, but I think that is because of 'opening-band syndrome'; the soundman sucked. Get this disk now! September 11, 1999

the best rock album in a long time

I would give it 10 stars if i could. This Cd is full of catchy songs. ThenMinn. knows nothing about music, may be he should check out the Backstreet boys. Cool lyrics, killer riffs. Rock lives on. September 8, 1999

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