90.
cosmo's factory
creedence clearwater revival [fantasy, 1970]
traditionalism is a tricky-dicked endeavor, a tightrope walk over the sinkholes of novelty kitsch and reactionary conservatism. Creedence is a shining beacon, a paragon of pop sincerity; one foot was ankle-deep in the trends of the past, but the guys weren't corny or cranky or campy, they were just fucking good. the integral element is John Fogerty's wail: slightly unhinged and tremulous, with undertones of rage and terror blemishing the all-smiles exterior. Cosmo's Factory has more hits than [insert off-color joke here]: the rambunctious "travelin' band," the ominous "who'll stop the rain," and the Vietnam-scarred "run through the jungle." there's also the slide-guitar spike in the vein of "up on around the bend," used in every buddyroadtrip movie in existence and the sweetly idiotic psychedelic imagery in "lookin' out my back door." but the record's defining moment may be in the opening track, the raucous seven minute jam "ramble tamble," in which Fogerty unleashes the finest guitar solo of his career: simple, eloquent, transcendent. the ten minute cover of "i heard it through the grapevine" may be the embarrassed elephant in the corner, but its relentless repetition gradually becomes compellingly hypnotic. from shuck n' jive barn burners to open road po' boy ballads, Cosmo's Factory is Creedence's most varied and consistent record and a testament to their quiet, unassuming artistry.
"wouldn't hold out much hope for the tape deck, though. or the creedence." moment: a lot of Creedence's songs have suffered from overexposure, either from oldies radio or incessant use in movies and television. however, The Big Lebowski undoubtedly contains the best use of Creedence's music, especially "run through the jungle" during the botched ransom drop-off.
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