Looking into the unknown — whether it be the unexplored ocean, the infinite cosmos, or the uncertain future — can be frightening, but also exciting.
Southern California-based artist, The Ram, recently released their new EP, Space Cowboy, which features a five variations of the same track. The EP includes the original studio version, an acoustic version, a live recording, and two instrumentals. It hit streaming services on September 27, 2024.
On the studio recording of “Space Cowboy,” psychedelic-infused classic rock and soul intertwine, with groovy keyboard, a clean bass riff, and a toe-tapping beat. The vocals of Mark O’Donnell — lead singer and face of The Ram — are deep and gravelly, nicely contrasting the more rich and bright instrumentation.
The narrator sings of gazing out at the ocean: the moon is bright, the waves call his name, and he ponders the significance of life. Inspired by the vastness of the ocean, the cosmos, and of course psilocybin, he’s a speculative ramblin’ man in the final frontier. “The milky way, she’s a friend of mine,” he croons.
In the track’s music video, an astronaut figure floats through the water, drifting towards a spaceship. The trippy visual effects make it appear as though he is floating in a void, limitless and empty.
The acoustic version of “Space Cowboy” strips the track of its keyboard and moody electric bass, adding instead layers of plucky guitars, mandolin, and harmonica. Maintaining its upbeat groove, this mix of “Space Cowboy” delivers a sound that is in line with a country and roots feel. The live version runs for a staggering eight and a half minutes, with added sections of O’Donnell and his band jamming with each other, as well as the addition of a steel guitar. He introduces the fantastic “Mr. Pritchtastic,” (Mike Pritchard) who delivers a helluva keyboard solo. This version of the track captures the electricity of live performance, reminiscent of psychedelic jam-band music.
During the live recording, O’Donnell tells the story of “Space Cowboy” while the band continues to play behind him. Rambling a bit and almost rapping, he says that the song was conceived 17 years ago, as he and his friends went surfing at night after drinks. He was offered “a little mushroom, maybe two,” and naturally, “Space Cowboy” was born.
While born and raised in the Rust Belt of Pennsylvania, O’Donnell currently resides where the sun shines damn near everyday in Carlsbad, California, where he plays with local musicians. The Ram delivers a captivating melting pot of sounds from funk, to classic rock, to soul and more on the new collection. Space Cowboy offers multiple takes of the title track, all with a soulful, retro feel.
[…] The Ram Delivers Gritty SoCal Psychedelia With Eclectic Variations Of New Track ‘Space Cowboy&… […]