This weeks AOTW could of been one of a few records, such was the amount of quality music I’ve been listening to this week. However, it had to be this accomplished offering from local band Wave Machines that took the biscuit. In the words of Outkast this album is “cooler than Freddie Jackson sippin’ a snow-cone in a snow-storm”. It’s coolness slopes in on the back of Wave Machines unconventional style. It leans like a dog with three legs. It’s a jaunty, eclectic poke in the eyes and kick up the arse to all those making bog-standard, ten a penny pop records (I’ll mention no names). For me this is better pop music than Golden Silvers which I liked a lot. Wave If Your Really There has an extra air of originality. I’d even go as far as to speak this in the same breath as Passion Pit’s Manners.
Opening track You Say The Stupidest Things begins with a time honoured three key piano riff and a rhythm section comprised of an old Casio keyboard metronome – something which should sound gross and initially I found myself thinking ‘hmmm right’. However, it develops a beautiful plucked guitar and a warming bass with featherlight synths meandering effortlessly throughout the delicate noise. This record is like the fruits of unprotected summer holiday sex – it’s infectious, catchy and you’ve got no idea it’s got you until it hits you by surprise. It has elements of disco, funk and electro with attention to detail and level of production similar to the likes of Hot Chip. Strangely, the record was recorded in the loft of St. Brides Church in Liverpool. Not the music I would of expected to emanate from the depths of a church – no, it’s far too upbeat. If I walked past a church and heard I Go I Go I Go being played, I’d probably garner a new respect for organised religion. Distinctly 80′s, hyped up on a double-shot of electro, I Go I Go I Go is the catchiest record in the world right now. Keep The Lights On is funk inspired and bass driven with almost spoken verses with a 70′s disco style chorus. Punk Spirit is a guitar led anti-ballad that lays into our two faced nature, singer Tim Bruzon exclaims “Later on you left the room, I whispered you can fucking die – and every time your back was turned, I put a finger in the air - and every time you turn around, I hide it cos I know it hurts”. Norwegian drummer Vidar Norheim wrote the haunting Dead Houses which begins enshrouded in Gothic darkness and would be at home in their rehearsal space. The Line sounds like it has been un-earthed from Cyndie Laupers long-lost demo tapes. Such is the musical diversity of this record.
To mention a band in the same sentence as Hot Chip and The Beta Band obviously shows that Wave Machines are doing something right; they excel at art-pop, employ an eclectic outlook and sound different to their peers. Admittedly, I am a little synthed out but that’s mainly due to the amount of toss bands that think they will make good music simply by including a synth in their arrangement. No, good music comes from ability, imagination and soul and and Wave Machines have the full cocktail.
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Wave Machines I Go I Go I Go from trunk animation on Vimeo.
