Tag Archives: Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures

EP Review: Derek Smith & The Cosmic Vultures – Temporary Circus: Act I

Posted on by

photo by Gia Smith; photo courtesy of Knyvet

by Eric Harabadian, Contributing Blogger

EP Review of Derek Smith and The Cosmic Vultures: Temporary Circus: Act 1

Derek Smith is a prolific and award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist from Boston that has recorded a startling number of album releases and singles as a solo artist as well as a member of The Cosmic Vultures. He is joined on this current EP release by Justin Lopes (piano/organ), Michael Strakus (guitars), Steve Constantino (bass), Dalton DeLima (drums) and Jonathan Chesko (orchestration/production).

This EP is a follow-up to the highly successful album Opus. This latest project is meant to be the first in a series, with proposed subsequent acts dealing with modern society, its challenges, and hopes for the future. In Smith’s estimation, life is a “temporary circus” and, despite all its hardships, this too will pass.

cover design by Derek Smith; image courtesy of Knyvet

The five songs contained here have a central acoustic-based focus that draws on a number of key influences – everything from jazz-pop and folk to world beat and psych elements. “Temporary Circus” has a distinctive, relaxed approach built on a bed of Latin rhythms. The acoustic flamenco-type leads lend themselves to classic pop like latter day Tommy James, The Rascals, and even Tommy Bolin’s solo work. “Strange Life” creates this aural imagery that is spacey and envelops the listener. The combination of acoustic guitar, percussion, and orchestral textures hints at a Moody Blues-like aesthetic. There is a slight shift in genre with the country feel of “The Puppets of Hypocrisy.” But it keeps up with the conceptual theme of the overall project. There are very clear notes of folk and pop here, as well. “Some Girls” speaks to the power of women in our society, which is driven home via exquisite harmonies and choral vocals. It’s also kind of new age-sounding, further exemplified by Lopes’ jazzy George Winston-like piano. “Indie Darling” could be almost auto-biographical and sounds like an amalgam of New Radicals, Todd Rundgren, America, Duncan Sheik, and even early Daryl Hall & John Oates.

For music fans who like their rock and pop with a tad more sophistication and depth, Derek Smith and The Cosmic Vultures are sure to satisfy and resonate with you for some time to come.

Single Review: Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures – “White Spade Symphony”

Posted on by
Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures – "White Spade Symphony" single cover

image courtesy of Knyvet

Single Review of Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures: “White Spade Symphony”

“White Spade Symphony” from Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures is the best brand-new ’70s-style psychedelic classic rock song you’ll have heard in quite some time.

Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures band photo

photo courtesy of Knyvet

The song clocks in at under 4 minutes, but it feels longer, as would be expected from a true ’70s psychedelic rocker. There’s a long instrumental section in the middle of the song that showcases screaming classing rock axework, giving it the feeling of one of those 5-to-7 minute AOR opuses from the seventies. (Note the foreshadowing there, kids.) There are segments of the song that remind me of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound),” though the classic rock reference is meant more generally, based on the tone of the guitars and the thin, distant seventies rock sound of Derek’s vocals.

In any case, “White Spade Symphony” is memorable and so well-done that it will soon become a favorite if you’re a fan of guitar-based classic rock in general, not just the ’70s psychedelic subcategory.

More Recently

Since the release of “White Spade Symphony,” the band has released two more singles – “Tomorrow Morning” and “Songbird” – and a full-length album, Opus, which contains both of those two singles but not “White Spade Symphony.”