Cougar, “Patriot” (Counter Records, 2009)

A post-modern rock album laced with instrumental electronica serves as a narrative for the brain packed in 11 tracks and only 45 minutes. It’s complicated percussion meets smooth horns and heavy guitar infused with unforgettable beats. It’s “Patriot,” the 2009 sophomore album release from Madison, WI based band, Cougar.

Teetering on the edge of a jamband, fans of long, drawn-out instrumentals will be disappointed although some tracks on “Patriot” leave one begging for more. Cougar is precise and never fails to layer hard guitar sounds onto loops that artists such as Four Tet and Caribou haven’t ventured into yet.

The absence of lyrics will double as a soundtrack to life. Basically, whether listening to this album while driving away from college graduation or driving away from a significant other’s apartment after walking in on their first threesome, the crisp composition of sound will assent to one’s needs.

The opener, “Stay Famous,” is rather ambitious but precise as it fluctuates between an anthemic head-banger to unraveling guitar melodies that slowly build up suspense and end with an explosion of percussion. It’s enough to make you dress in all black, call yourself Danny Ocean and rob the biggest bank you can find.

When seeking motivation to save the world, or maybe just motivation in general, the hauntingly epic “Rhinelander,” uses choir echoes and smooth guitar to create a sense of purpose and invincibility. It’s a hero’s theme song, providing the sense that while listening to this song, you can step off of a bus and suddenly rip off your shirt to expose a giant “S,” perfectly toned abs and the ability to catch the bad guy and get the girl.

The serene and rather cosmic song “Pelourinho,” is the one song that would better serve as a 15-minute track of created chaos that ends with a sense of clarity. It possesses classical guitar, airy synth and ends in a fast, rhythmic frenzy. It’s a trip that will send you deep into the caverns of your own mind exposing raw truths you didn’t even know existed.

Leaving the meditational realm are songs “Thundersnow,” and “Heavy Into Jeff,” which are by far the heaviest tracks on the album. Both with serious electric guitar licks that lend themselves well to an “I don’t give a fuck,” mentality.

The album immediately lifts spirits with “Endings,” “This Is an Affidavit,” and “Appomattox,” with clear inspirational undertones that work for the well-thought-out roadmap of the album.

“Daunte v. Armada,” is the second to last track on “Patriot,” feels like the last 30 minutes to a film, where the conflicts have been presented and then conclude with a bit of lucidity and insight followed by the last serene and resolute track, “Absaroka.”

Listening to this album in its entirety provides a sense of completion. The fluidity alone will bring one to a better understanding of themselves just because of the instrumental moods created on each track. Pack this album on an iPod and make sure it travels with you everywhere as it is the best soundtrack to everyday life.