I love Cush. With their self-titled 2000 debut, it's hard to find anything better. But with a 2001 EP, and no Mike Knott or Gene Eugene, questions abound. But quickly though, these inquiries were halted when I heard that Mike Pritzl of The Violet Burning had captured the wheel from the departed Knott. I love the Violet Burning as well, so this would seem like a beautiful fit. It's not.

Upon first listen, I wasn't sure this was the right EP. Cush is no longer Cush. They throw out the 60's and early 70's influences and dive into the late 70's Sex Pistols/ Ramones/ David Bowie punk new wave era. "Halo Sounds," for the first 15 seconds, is pure Violet Burning, but takes a turn for bad and keeps going that way with "Rev It Up." "The Brightest Light" took a bit, but grew on me and seems influenced greatly, or maybe a little too much, by Mr. Bowie. "Blessed To Kill" sounds like the band is doing everything possible to get a gig at CBGB's in New York, but would probably fail with this subtle track. "Sailing Sounds" almost remotely sounds like the old Cush, or a watered down byproduct, with some cheesy Simon and Garfunkel debris. The song "Sniper's Mourning" has the words "Cush, Cush" repeated a few times which makes the album end childishly and unoriginal.

I love The Violet Burning. I love Cush. But I guess the two just aren't meant to be. If you liked the old Cush, it's not likely you will like this Cush. If you like the artsy roots of punk, you may like this watered down simpler version. This is not Cush.

- Review date: 4/20/02, written by Blake Garris