Commander Cody: Somewhere in the Ether

Maintaining a pretty consistent persona over time, Commander Cody, who finds himself accompanied by any assortment of overly competent players that he’s seen fit to replace the Lost Planet Airmen with, has returned after a brief hiatus since gracing shelves with a 2006 live album. While the music might not be exactly the same as in years past, the same basic influences are in play – as one should expect. Anyone looking for a career defining pronouncement is probably going to be disappointed. After all, the Commander already took it to the man (the country A&R man at least) during the ‘70s. And while this new disc, Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers, isn’t going to please everyone, the die-hards will appreciate it.

The first disc that the Commander released, Lost in the Ozone, is and should be considered a high water mark – along with a few efforts from the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers – of rock and country fusion. And even if Lost in the Ozone sounds the most dated outta that clutch of discs, its impressive highlights are nothing short of incredible. Keeping that in mind as one picks up and tosses on this new album, though, might become a bit difficult.

Littering the track listing of Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers are a few highlights from the ’71 debut of the Commander. “Wine Do Your Stuff” seems basically intact – if not properly aged. But the rendition of “Seeds and Stems” is pretty abhorrent. The classic, which details the Commander’s low supply of herbs, is here requisitioned by a female vocalist for a great portion of the track – and while the Commander crops up towards the end, his quick appearance can’t brace the song well enough to get it over. Of course, that doesn’t mean the playing here is anything short of competent, but that edge is gone. It well may be useless to gripe about ‘then and now,’ but ostensibly wrecking one of your signature tracks to fill out a new release seems futile.

Elsewhere, the core group of players that the Commander has assembled works to good effect. And even if “Semi Truck” comes off as not too much more than a revved up bar band doing a hillbilly track, that’s the point of it all.

This isn’t a grandiose examination of life and culture in the crumbling post 9-11 America. It’s a disc of party tunes with a few covers tossed in. And in its execution, the Commander and his cohort have gloriously succeeded. Dopers, Drunks and Everyday Losers isn’t going to completely reinvigorate the Commander’s career, but I’m sure he’s doing just fine as he is. And considering the fact that he’s been indisposed over the last four decades touring second rate clubs and the like, it seems as if he’s none too displeased with what he’s earned (or been granted) in life. After all, how many Michigan-come-San Francisco country bands from the ‘60s are still around? My guess is one. And it’s this one.