by Ljubinko Zivkovic (@zivljub)
When an artist decides to create music that is outside of his known setting - in this case a band, it is usually because either a disagreement within the band itself, or she/he wants to create music that is different or has a more personal touch. Cory Hanson had played in a number of bands before settling with the psych rock faves Wand and occasionally working in a duo setting with Ty Segall. Yet he also decided to work on solo projects, creating three so far - The Union Capitalist from Limbo (2016), Pale Horse Rider (2021) and his latest solo release, Western Cum (2023).
While Pale Horse Rider was a somewhat bucolic affair, Western Cum is more electric guitar dominated. Hanson touches upon his psych roots if you will, but also goes elsewhere, like the high-strung power-pop of “Wings” and “Housefly” to some even more high-powered post-punk riffs of “Persuasion Architecture”. Yet even within that song, Hanson doesn't miss opportunities to touch upon his more folk/country moments that he explores more fully on “Ghost Ship” or “Twins”. At the same time, he is not afraid to express more pop (“Horsebait Sabotage”) or “pure” country (“Twins”) tendencies, even throwing some prog rock touches in the ten minute long “Driving Through Heaven”.
Being “too eclectic” can be a double-edged sword, if you are not fully familiar with any of the genres you are working within, but Hanson seems to be swimming in all of what he presents here with such ease. He presents an excellent sense for melody and equally excellent guitar work along the way. At the same time, Western Cum has the feel of an album that has been created by a single artist who knows exactly what he is doing and why.