Cunning Stunts (Cows album)

Cunning Stunts is the third studio album by the American noise rock band Cows, released in 1992 on Amphetamine Reptile Records. The album is notable for its raw and aggressive sound, characteristic of the Cows' discography. It showcases the band's signature blend of dissonant guitars, sardonic lyrics, and Shannon Selberg's distinctive, often abrasive vocals.

The album's title, Cunning Stunts, is a play on words, contrasting the implied sophistication of "cunning" with the more juvenile and chaotic connotations of "stunts." This reflects the band's overall aesthetic, which often juxtaposes intelligent songwriting with deliberately crude or absurd elements.

Cunning Stunts features a range of songs exploring themes of alienation, societal dysfunction, and personal angst. The music is driven by a frenetic energy and often incorporates elements of punk rock, metal, and avant-garde music. Critical reception upon release was generally positive, with many reviewers praising the album's intensity and originality. While not a commercially successful record, Cunning Stunts is considered a significant work within the noise rock genre and remains a popular album among fans of the Cows.