By: Django Gold
Rating: 8/11

 Combine bounce, groove, and a touch of swagger and you might be able to come up with a dance that sums up the bouncy, groovy, swagger-y songs of the Alan Cohen Experience, whose latest EP, Eat the Peace is six tracks’ worth of joyful tuneage. Unlike past Experiences involving Jimi or Mr. T, the A.C.E. is a solo act, headed and staffed by Mr. Cohen himself, who more-or-less plays all the instruments heard on the record. Cohen’s sound is, as mentioned, both bouncy and groovy—toe-tapping pieces driven by clonking piano and thin guitar riffs, buffeted by whatever synths Cohen pulls out from his toy chest. Imagine some of the more lo-fi tunes of the Ween catalog with lyrics penned by Shel Silverstein and you have a pretty close approximation. 

The songs themselves, slick pieces generally under the 3-minute mark, bear their creator’s distinct imprint. “Ranger Stranger,” with its blue lounge vibe and off-putting synth background pattern, is a cool cut, especially during the Robby Krieger mini-solo towards the end. Also good is “Peace,” which features a catchy understated bass figure and solid vocal interplay. And “Truck Driver” captures a sweet melancholy through its use of prairie campfire strumming, glowing steel guitar, and uncharacteristically serious lyrics. Other tracks, such as the static “Train God,” which feels remarkably extended at only 1:48, are less successful, but the funky sensibilities and evident joy of the A.C.E. will surely win you over in the end.

Note: Eat the Peace will be available on November 3. Check out previews at http://www.alancohenexperience.com