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The singing Cowsills, that All-Amerian family of pop music which has somehow managed to maintain a clean cut, "sugar and spice and everything nice" image during some pretty trying times, are beginning to show signs of maturity, both physical appearances but also in their musically. The group's own fling with bubble-gum music which began with their first big hit, "The Rain, the Park and Other Things," and continued through such followup tunes as "We Can Fly" and "Indian Lake" came to a seemingly abrupt end with the release of "Hair," the Cowsills No. 1 hit tune. Now, the group is branching out into new fields of music, notably country and western. Their new London release, "On My Side," represents this new shift in style. "Down on the Farm," a tune written by 16-year-old Barry Cowsill who also serves as lead vocalist for this particular number, is clear evidence of the country and western influence.
Listeners will probably be surprised by Barry's deep, masculine voice, quite unusual for a boy of 16. The same holds true for brother John's "Cheatin' on Me," a good, twangy C&W piece. But the Cowsills have not completely divorced themselves from the style which was their trademark a few years back. The title song, "On My Side," is an old fashioned, Cowsill-type song which will surely delight most of their fans. "Heather Says," a folksy tune recorded by 11-year-old Susan Cowsill, youngest member of the clan, and mother Barbara, is one of the better cuts on this very enjoyable album. London PS 587
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