WIG WAM - review added 23rd May 2012
Album Review: Wall Street (2012)
For fans of: Hard Rock
I've been there loving Wig Wam since the start, assuming you call the start their appearance on Eurovision. Never a band to sit around flogging a sound to death, they've been constantly evolving over their four studio albums, from party beasts "Hard To Be A Rock 'n' Roller... In Kiev" (2005), through upbeat-but-deeper "Wig Wamania" (2006), through darker and more experimental "Non Stop Rock 'N' Roll" (2010), to this, yet another twist in their ever turning output.
"Wall Street" heads even darker in places, whilst bringing in more noticeable influences from big rock bands with a heyday in the past, noticeably Queen and Def Leppard. The trademark Wig Wam sounds are still there in abundance, but the party atmosphere and humorous/crazy-ass lyrics have been replaced by something more concept-orientated. In this case, unsurprisingly, money.
The musicianship is as fine as ever, a little heavier in places, more straight ahead than of old. Musicians of this caliber will never sound bad, but the band has definitely morphed into something new. I like it, but in some ways I do miss the spunkiness. Glam's vocals are as charismatic as ever. He isn't as wild as he can be, but that would be out of place on this record.
Song wise, the title track is instantly Wig Wam and very good, 'OMG! (Wish I Had A Gun)' is Motley Crue meets Def Leppard and again very catchy, 'Victory Is Sweet' is completely leftfield and brilliant, 'The Bigger The Better' rips Def Leppard off too much for my tastes, 'Bleeding Daylight' is almost a retro prog track and very sweet on the musicianship front, 'Tides Will Turn' is a nice ballad, 'Wrong Can Feel So Right' is cliched but okay, 'One Million Enemies' is modern and funky with a big hint of pop, 'Try My Body On' hints at modern Loverboy and features a fabulous guitar sound, 'Natural High' is poppy on the guitar front and strangely catchy. Final track 'Things Money Can't Buy' is a wonderful instrumental, showcasing the unbelievable guitar talents of Teeny.
In Summation:
I miss the fun Wig Wam, but when the boring Wig Wam sounds this good, it's damned hard to care. Better than their last album, if not quite as good as the first two. Will still split opinion though.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Wall Street
02. OMG! (Wish I Had A Gun)
03. Victory Is Sweet
04. The Bigger The Better
05. Bleeding Daylight
06. Tides Will Turn
07. Wrong Can Feel So Right
08. One Million Enemies
09. Try My Body On
10. Natural High
11. Things Money Can't Buy
Band/Performers:
Glam: Vocals
Flash: Bass
Teeny: Guitar
Sporty: Drums
Other Info:
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Wig Wam | MySpace | Facebook
