Cunning Stunts (Cows album)

Cunning Stunts is the fifth studio album by the Minneapolis-based noise rock band Cows, released in 1992 by Amphetamine Reptile Records.[2][3] It was their first album where they began developing real melodies and patterns instead of their usual blasts of noise. The switch to producer Iain Burgess brought an increase in sound quality from previous albums. It was long since out print; however, MVD Audio reissued and distributed the album on CD and a limited edition "Blue Opaque" vinyl LP in 2016.

Cunning Stunts
Studio album by
Cows
Released1992
RecordedMirror Image
(Minneapolis, MN)
GenreNoise rock,[1] post-hardcore
Length38:56
LabelAmphetamine Reptile
ProducerIain Burgess
Cows chronology
Peacetika
(1991)		 Cunning Stunts
(1992)		 Plowed
(1992)

The title is a spoonerism of the term "stunning cunts". The band Caravan used this title for their 1975 album. The album cover design alludes to the Reid Miles designed cover of Eric Dolphy's 1964 album Out to Lunch!

The band supported the album with a North American tour.[4]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]

The Chicago Sun-Times wrote that "the music is jarring and [Shannon] Selberg's howling is initially user-unfriendly, yet his disturbed lyrics are undeniable."[6] The Lancaster New Era listed Cunning Stunts as one of 1992's best albums, deeming it "truly, truly demented and truly, truly beautiful."[7] In 1999, City Pages included it on a list of Amphetamine Reptile's greatest albums; it was also given an honorable mention in an article about the best Minneapolis albums of the 1990s.[8][9]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Cows, except "Midnight Cowboy" by John Barry

No.TitleLength
1."Heave Ho"2:08
2."Walks Alone"2:47
3."Contamination"3:11
4."Mr. Cancelled"4:19
5."Mine"3:31
6."Midnight Cowboy"2:50
7."Everybody"3:01
8."Two Little Pigs"3:00
9."The Woman Inside"2:34
10."Terrifique"3:15
11."Down Below"4:06
12."Ort"4:22

Personnel

Adapted from the Cunning Stunts liner notes.[10]

Release history
Region Date Label Format Catalog
United States 1992 Amphetamine Reptile CD, CS, LP AMREP 007

References
  1. Earles, Andrew (March 31, 2015). "The Revival of Cherubs". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  2. Edgerton, Robin; Robbins, Ira (2007). "Cows". Trouser Press. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  3. Harrison, Don (May 15, 1992). "The Utter Gall". Splash. Daily Press. Newport News. p. 10.
  4. Herzog, David (May 15, 1992). "COWS HAVE MADE THEIR MARK ON THE MINNEAPOLIS SOUND". The Morning Call. p. D1.
  5. Dougan, John. "Cows: Cunning Stunts > Review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  6. Puls, Eric (September 18, 1992). "Cows Milk Songs For Their Worth". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 18.
  7. Wenrich, Doug (January 14, 1993). "One more look at some of the best albums of 1992". Lancaster New Era. p. Z12.
  8. Groebner, Simon Peter (June 16, 1999). "AmRep's Greatest Noise". City Pages.
  9. "A Power of Ten". City Pages. December 29, 1999.
  10. Cunning Stunts (booklet). Cows. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Amphetamine Reptile Records. 1992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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