Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder

by Julie Cruickshank

published: 8 / 6 / 2025

Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder

Label: Burns Borrachio
Format: CD

Enjoyable new album from alt-country singer-songwriter Charles Ellsworrth

Review

NYC-based Charles Ellsworth has released his much-anticipated fifth album ‘Cosmic Cannon Fodder’, an eleven-song lyrical and musical journey through the dark heart of America. He explores themes of resilience and resignation, love and labour. Opening track ’LAX’ registers the eternal frustrations felt waiting around at airports; meandering pedal steel infuses this standard country song. ‘Ripped to Ribbons’ casts a melancholy eye upon the trials of a musician’s fleeting love affairs on the road: “Boston’s just like Vegas if you don’t leave the hotel”. ‘If They Let Me Choose Forever’ is a rockier number, while the spare shuffle and mournful pedal steel of ‘The Gates’ cynically refers to the pearly gates of heaven as a ‘reward’ for a lifetime’s hard work. Themes of hard work and paying rent are revisited throughout the album; Ellsworth rails at an America which does not make it easy to overcome poverty. ‘Swimming in the Shades of Grey’ and ‘Build a Bigger Table’ are beautiful ballads showcasing the talents of Ellsworth on guitar, accompanied by Blake Tallent on keys, drums and guitar, and pedal steel and dobro by Mike Brenner. The album closes with the rousing and rocky ‘If I Could Talk to God’, a fine conclusion to a thoughtful and well-crafted set of songs. ‘Cosmic Cannon Fodder’ entertains and enchants, and establishes Charles Ellsworth’s reputation as a fine musician and storyteller.

Track Listing:-

1 LAX Song
2 Avenue Of The Giants
3 Ripped To Ribbons
4 If They Let Me Choose Forever
5 Another Fucking Tuesday
6 The Gates
7 Cosmic Cannon Fodder
8 Crazy Kelly
9 Swimming In The Shades Of Grey
10 Build A Bigger Table
11 If I Could Talk To God