conveys "universal themes" that would express the feelings of Australians and people across the world who feel they need to "take the power back". Artwork Various items of "modern protest" were featured within the panels of the digipack release including: a brick, lit torch, gas mask, cell phone, laptop and Molotov cocktail. The gas mask and Molotov cocktail included specific descriptions of the peripherals followed by notes on how they could be used as "identity concealment devices" and for "guerilla warfare", respectively. Commenting on the protest theme, art director Daniel Parkinson stated "we decided on a clean stark look, using Times New Roman Font like a newspaper" in addition to "some strange 'anomaly' objects" portrayed as black balls floating above the desert floor. Furthermore, the front cover features an electric megaphone in accordance to the "modern protest" theme as well as "cog the new normal" in Braille. Flynn Gower stated the "starkness of the message" was "very clear and easy to decipher." Reception The New Normal was mostly well received and gained generally positive reviews, but was not without its criticisms. Jody Macgregor of AllMusic said "Flynn Gower...sings with enough genuineness and passion to deliver political songs...without sounding trite." She described some of the rhymes as "a touch too obvious" while "[pushing] a simplistic melody...longer than it deserves", but assures "enough unexpected turns and blistering riffs" to conclude that "Cog are at their best concocting these apocalyptic epics". The album entered the ARIA Charts on April 24, 2005, peaked at #19 and remained on the chart for three weeks. Moreover, the album was described by Triple J radio as "Australian heavy music fans have been holding out for" as well as "a massive sound, almost unbelievable for that of a three piece band." In 2005 the album was nominated for the J Award by Triple J. Track listing All songs written, composed and performed by Cog. Charts Personnel Cog Flynn Gower – lead vocals, guitar Lucius Borich – drums, backing vocals, samples Luke Gower – bass guitar, backing vocals Production Cog – producer, album design Sylvia Massy – producer, mixing Rich Veltrop – co-producer, engineer, mixing Kale Holmes – mixing Cecil Gregory – studio assistant Seabrian Arata – Pro Tools editor Tom Baker – mastering Sean Boucher – recording & engineering (pre-production) Daniel Parkinson – art direction, graphic design, photography Andrzej Liguz – group photography References 2005 debut albums Albums