Cos - Grace

Cos is a New York City-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, and his album Grace is labeled as progressive rock. And yes, the project contains plenty of complicated arrangements, just as you might expect from most any progressive rock project. However, this album's best track is - in comparison to the rest of the release - relatively simple. It's titled "Younger Man," and it can only have been written and sung by someone with plenty of life experience. In this case, it's about a guy that is losing his woman to a younger man. Cos confesses, "Now you're telling me I can't compete." It's a brush-off that really hurts. Granted, rock & roll is a young man's game. Nevertheless, while rock star fame can help ugly performers land supermodels, youth is - and always has been -- a big advantage in the real world. Cos has pointed to Todd Rundgren as an inspiration, and he sings this song much like one of those memorable Rundgren '70s ballads. It's so good, he should probably pitch it to Todd.

While songs like "Gina," explore keyboard-heavy, Yes-y rock music, heartfelt ballads, like the parenthood joys expressed through "The Greatest Gift," reveal Cos' true artistic forte. Some of us would rather enjoy his ballads than his noodling, but we can just give him a little grace on that.

Rating: