Interestingly, one of the previous covers has changed from wherever I linked it and now my last post doesn't even make sense. Expunged from existence!
Slightly less fun is the single itself. I must admit to being slightly underwhelmed for the first time by one of the band's releases. I love both songs but the performances/recording seem to lack verve. For all the talk of the live to tape, no overdubs technique, I can't say I've previously thought about it whilst listening to their work - but neither track here seems to go anywhere. I'd be interested to hear what others think - maybe it's just Jonny's vocals, which are uneven and lack the surprise factor of his previous leads. Tattersall is perhaps being too generous with his job delegation.
Still can't wait for the LP proper but my anticipation is now tinged with anxiety that the bash them out approach could come unstuck.
This is why I took 6 months to buy Beer In The Breakers. even though I still count The Wave Pictures as one of favourite bands. Most bands with their ethos realise after a couple of albums that the live in the studio thing is extremely limiting, so I find it disappointing that 10 years on or whatever, TWP are doing the same thing. Beer... is actually really good but from an artistic standpoint there's really no need for The Wave Pictures to exist any more. If they're just going to keep releasing folk rock albums recorded in a day and a half every year and not try anything new then there's already plenty of Wave Pictures material out there. They don't cost anything for Moshi Moshi to record, so they can keep churning them out but artistically they're inessential, and I want them to excite me again.
ReplyDeleteActually, I find the new album pretty ace. The best since "If You Leave It Alone", if you ask me. And it sounds more alive than the latter. I'm not opposed at all to overdubs'n'stuff, but for my taste, the "live" sound still suits the WPs fine. "Long Black Cars" is hit after hit, the sound is great and Dave Tattersall's guitar playing is stunning. "Beer In The Breakers" seemed a bit lengthy, in my opinion, not bad at all though. But I was hoping the guys could still do better. And they could, as the new album shows.
ReplyDeleteDon't expect sonic surprises, it still sounds like The Wave Pictures playing Wave Pictures songs, just like they do on stage, though there's an occasional 2nd guitar. But as long as the songs are great and the lyrics make me laugh and sigh, I don't care whether there's innovation in the sound or not. And if the songs aren't great, the sound doesn't make much of a difference to me.
I'd give the new album a shot. The songs are exciting. It may be true that all the albums after "Instant Coffee Baby" have been in the same vein, yet they've all got their distinctive sound. Funnily, I tend to exclude "Beer..." from this list cause that's the one that sounds a bit different to me. The new album's got great hooklines and the band plays together better than on any other album. And the guitars are top-notch without being wanky. That's enough to satisfy me.
Good comment. I'm very much looking forward to the LP. Ultimately, it's all about the songs - good melodies and lyrics give me all the excitement I need. I disagree with Daniel's comment of them being artistically bankrupt and I think it's been clear from the beginning that they are going to plough their furrow. While others chase fads and ultimately will sound dated and tied to a time, the WP's look to be building a solid catalogue. In ten years time they'll have a 100 really good songs which people will love to dip into.
ReplyDeleteOn listening to the single more and more i think it's perhaps the engineering which is the sore thumb for me. I don't think it sounds that great sonically. Beer In The Breakers is spare but the recording and production is excellent, beautiful tones and sweet sounds. Eskimo Kiss sounds like a bit of a step back, a bit rough and unpolished. But again, i wonder if its Jonny's vocals which heighten the amateur-aura i'm feeling.
I know a lot of the songs of the LP and i know they are excellent. I look forward to hearing it and finding out how well they've captured them. But I refuse to download it - I'm waiting for my vinyl copy!
Just spun both sides again. Maybe it's just that this is their garage rock album? If Peel had played that a decade ago I'd probably have loved it.....
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