Back in 2005, I was fresh out of college and finally working in the real world. My only way of rebellion came in the form of Wolfmother's self titled album. It was an instant classic mixing Black Sabbath like power cords and Andrew Stockdale's soaring voice. I think I listen to their song Joker & the Thief at least once a week still.

Through the years, two original members of Wolfmother left (Myles Heskett and Chris Ross) leaving only Stockdale as the original member and sole cross bearer for Wolfmother. I thought for sure this band was done and I hate fucked my girlfriend at the time because of it. She never understood why I cried "ANDREW! WHY?!" after sex.

But that changed when I heard Cosmic Egg was going to be released by Stockdale and some fresh meat. Of course, I was skeptical. How can only one man recapture the essence of the first album? I wonder no more.

Cosmic Egg is like you are in a fight with Guile from Street Fighter. It is a complete assault on all your senses. Stockdale still keeps some of the Black Sabbath influence but pushes it further with Beatles inspired Eastern influence and big Rolling Stone-like riffs. Songs like California Queen (lead track) show that Wolfmother is back with a vengeance. California Queen has a stadium sized power riff, classic strong and virile voice of Stockdale, and the gritty basslines I fell in love with on their first record.

But what I love most about this album is Wolfmother is not afraid to experiment with more psychedelic rock. Several tracks were clearly influenced by The Beatles trip to India and the Rolling Stones psychedelic ride. I think this shows that Wolfmother isn't just going to rest on the sound that made them popular, but going to try and get better and push the envelope in terms of their own sound.

Is this record better than the self titled album? No, I don't think so. But it is a solid effort and I haven't stopped listening to it. It is a perfect follow up to their breakthrough first record. Shit if you are a fan of Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, you almost need to buy the record because you are guaranteed to find something you love about it. If you hate those bands, why the hell are you on this site?