The Vinyl of the Day is ‘Cosmo’s Factory’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1970. Arguably CCR’s best record (no small feat!), it’s not only full of great rock with song after song that became popular hits, but also timeless rock classics. It shows off John Fogerty’s ability to write songs that were not only high energy rockers, but also contained deep meaning and relevance, telling tales not only about home and longing, but also great dissatisfaction with how the world was - especially felt by those poor young bastards who had been drafted and sent to fight in Vietnam. Creedence’s utterly unique ‘swamp rock’ music became one of the most important parts of the soundtrack to these soldiers Vietnam experience, and Fogerty was a master at creating some of the best protest music in history. With their years-long string of hits, and CCR’s relevance and important subject matter, they demand to be included with the Beatles, the Stones, Led Zeppelin etc. as one of the greatest bands of all time. Unfortunately, Fogerty’s control of the group at this time — he relentlessly drove his bandmates, sometimes against their will, through rigorous recording and touring schedules — left a rift that tore it apart just a few months later. Rhythm guitarist (and John’s older brother) Tom Fogerty left the band shortly after finishing the next album ‘Pendulum', and the band would break up for good after the following ‘Mardi Gras’. But the short four year span CCR existed left a legacy that is hard to match, or overstate.
And let’s not forget that John Fogerty was ranked #40 in Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Throughout 1969 and into 1970, CCR toured incessantly and recorded nearly as much. Appropriately, Cosmo’s Factory’s first single was the working band’s anthem “Travelin’ Band,” a funny, piledriving rocker with a blaring horn section – the first indication their sonic palette was broadening. Two more singles appeared prior to the album’s release, backed by John Fogerty originals that rivaled the A-side or paled just slightly. When it came time to assemble a full album, Fogerty had only one original left, the claustrophobic, paranoid rocker “Ramble Tamble.” Unlike some extended instrumentals, this was dramatic and had a direction – a distinction made clear by the meandering jam that brings CCR’s version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” to 11 minutes. Even if it wanders, their take on the Marvin Gaye classic isn’t unpleasant, and their faithful, exuberant takes on the Sun classics “Ooby Dooby” and “My Baby Left Me” are joyous tributes. Still, the heart of the album lays in those six fantastic songs released on singles. “Up Around the Bend” is a searing rocker, one of their best, balanced by the menacing murkiness of “Run Through the Jungle.” “Who’ll Stop the Rain”’s poignant melody and melancholy undertow has a counterpart in Fogerty’s dope song, “Lookin’ out My Back Door,” a charming, bright shuffle, filled with dancing animals and domestic bliss - he had never been as sweet and silly as he is here. On “Long as I Can See the Light,” the record’s final song, he again finds solace in home, anchored by a soulful, laid-back groove. It hits a comforting, elegiac note, the perfect way to draw Cosmo’s Factory – an album made during stress and chaos, filled with raging rockers, covers, and intense jams – to a close.