Sparklehorse's "Cow" is a shining moment on 1995's classic Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot. The album was recorded with the band Cracker, who at the time were bearing the torch of what southern rock sounded like in the post-Nevermind era. "Cow" is the moment where David Lowery's involvement fully crystallizes. Languid in pace, the song lays with its arms outstretched in a grassy field; guitars crackle in the sun as an accordion wheezes on. (Frankly it might be a harmonica, I can't find confirmation one way or the other.)
Linkous' whispered delivery makes oddities sound somehow mundane - sparkling drumsets, lighting cigars on electric chairs, snakes eating their own tails. The specific absurd absurdities are selected for their percussive and rhythmic natures rather than any individual meaning; however, by combining altogether, Linkous renders this strange world as maybe not so strange.
The world must have seemed strange to Linkous; life had put him through the gauntlet. "Cow" underlines this, but offers a glimmer of hope: once Linkous reaches the refrain, his voice opens up for the first time. It comes with the most ordinary lyric in the song: "pretty girl, milking a cow." The guitars explode into life, taking over the second half of the song. Still, given Linkous' fate, "Cow" spins an ultimately tragic tale - one that doesn't necessarily rip open any wounds, but it might slowly undo the stitches.
RIP Mark Linkous. I hope you have found whatever you couldn't find here.
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