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Creedence Clearwater Revival's fifth album, Cosmo's Factory, contained their biggest cache of hits yet, including the two mega-classics Up Around the Bend and Who'll Stop the Rain, plus two number two hits, Travelin' Band and Lookin' Out My Back Door. The band unfortuantely introduced saxophones to their music for the first time, lessening Travelin' Band's greatness and also appearing on the uncharacteristically slow Long as I can See the Light, which belongs on their next album, Pendulum. CCR undertook four covers, including an eleven minute version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine. Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, for whom the album is named, turns in his best drumming performance here, and the rest of the band sounds good as well. This ranks as my third favorite CCR album, still a pure classic but a little unwieldly compared to Bayou Country and Green River.
Ramble Tamble - An interesting seven minute jam of guitar, and good lyrics sung in a fairly inauudible manner. I like the beginning and end, but the middle drags on a little bit and isn't real inspiring.
Before You Accuse Me - A Bo Diddley cover that would later be covered by Eric Clapton, CCR's version puts them both to shame. However, the song itself is fairly weak; the only worthwhile part is listening to John play the guitar.
Travelin' Band - If you fell asleep during Before You Accuse Me, this rollicking 2 minute number will wake you up in a hurry with the furious drumming of Cosmo and vocals of John. The second guitar solo is searing, and the lyrics are both profound and funny. One of CCR's top ten songs, but sounds much better live without the sax.
Ooby Dooby - Another fast paced number, this one a Roy Orbison cover, again showcases John's guitar playing as its highlight. The words are pretty meaningless, but this is basically a good-times song.
Lookin' Out My Back Door - A hilarious composition by John, the lyrics and excellent singing are definitely the selling points. I don't care for the country instrumentation though.
Run Through The Jungle - The first of two songs concerning Vietnam on the album, John's harmonica takes center stage from his guitar. Unfortunately it is not nearly as good as it is on Keep on Chooglin'. John's vocals here are a little gruff, but the lyrics "They told me, don't go walking slow - the devil's on the loose" hit the issue head on. Stu Cook does a good job on bass here.
Up Around the Bend - My personal favorite CCR song by a nose, this song is about as perfect and complete as you can get. The opening guitar part has to be one of the best song openings in rock music, and I love the electric and acoustic rhythm guitars throughout. Stu Cook's bass playing is excellent as is Doug Clifford's drumming. John turns in one of his best vocal performances as well. It is a great song of hope and celebration - this one is a definite pick-up at any time! One of the top five songs of all time.
My Baby Left Me - Another good job of a cover, but again the song itself isn't real exciting. I like the rhythm section's job on this one.
Who'll Stop the Rain - My second favorite CCR song. Cosmo Clifford has his best CCR drumming performance here. John Fogerty's vocals are awesome as well. It doesn't get any better than the delivery of the lines "Tryin' to find the sun" and "still the rain kept falling, falling on my ears." Thunderous bass by Stu Cook and the "rainlike" guitaring round out another almost complete song. Every time I hear it I want to listen to it again!
I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Another superior cover, this blows away Marvin Gaye's version. Another great job by the rhythm section and great jamming by John. My only complaint is that the last two minutes are a little boring.
Long as I Can See the Light - Without this song, the album would probably be my favorite. I just don't like this song. Although the lyrics are allright, the vocals and sax are bad and the piano is boring. One of CCR's worst songs.
Overall rating: 9 out of 10
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