Wolf Gang – Suego Faults (02/10/2011)
As we enter the final three months of 2011 it can be said that the world of music has had a good year with great albums from bands like Radiohead, Fleet Foxes and The Strokes. Lets not forget the upcoming talent like James Blake and Foster The People. One of the year’s big surprises has been British group, Wolf Gang.
Teaming up with American producer, Dave Fridmann (of MGMT and Flaming Lips fame), Suego Faults is their debut release, an album rich of 70’s inspired musical goodness combined with modern influence. Suego Faults is inspired by a utopia that the band’s frontman Max McElligott discovered in his dreams. Crazy, I know. However, Suego Faults is a typical ten-track album starting strong and finishing just as well.
Opening song ‘Lion In Cages’ can be declared the band’s anthem, setting the tone of what to expect in this dream utopia. The weird delays, crunched-up drums and the compressed synths result in a feel good, euphoric song that you can’t help but to love.
Next up is ‘Something Unusual,’ a much softer romantic song with a strict but still flowing vocal delivery and a memorable, staccato, synth harmony. With the sudden uplifting chorus, this track is on par with its previous effort.
Third track, ‘Stay and Defend’ presents the listener with the dreamiest intro riff yet and the best, most infectious piano pop that can be found on Suego Faults. Evident is the vibrant and strong choruses belted out by McElligott whose voice sounds of similarity to the great David Bowie. Title track ‘Suego Faults’ is without a doubt the album’s most underrated track. It’s grand, powerful and overall an atmospheric song. It showcases the great vocal range that McElligott possesses in its chorus, accompanied by guitar and strings that bring much life and spirit to the song.
The mood instantly picks up on single ‘The King and All Of His Men’ with its surging and charging rhythm sounding like the Naked and Famous’ ‘Punching In A Dream.’ The song sounds with much glamour and joy as evident in McElligott’s voice. ‘Back To Back’ changes pace, presenting a more moody and heartbroken feeling yet it seduces with its three note bass line and high vocals in the chorus proving that this dream world is not all perfect. This track is easily the lowest point of the album.
‘Midnight Dancers’ is a classic 70’s rock ballad, gentle and lovable for the 21st century. The xylophone played in the beginning and throughout adds a sense of innocence that isn’t found anywhere else on the album, which is a nice change. ‘Dancing With The Devil’ flourishes at the beginning sounding like a typical lo-fi surf rock song and then the vocals enter with the steady beat and guitar strumming leading the way. The descending xylophone passage adds well as an ornament to the chorus.
The guitar on penultimate track ‘Where Are You Now’ is lovely and complements McElligott who is crying out in desperation. Closing track ‘Planets’ brings a grand space odyssey; one with the perfect ending even it is not the most joyful.
In concluding this review it should be acknowledged that Suego Faults is a soulful collection of enjoyable, accessible pop music. It is superb in its uplifting choruses, catchy lyrics and overall tone transporting the listener to McElligott’s dream world – one of great beauty that anybody wouldn’t be disappointed with. While it isn’t the most unique and perhaps meaningful release this year, it is definitely one pop album that will have you hooked.
James Quick
Teaming up with American producer, Dave Fridmann (of MGMT and Flaming Lips fame), Suego Faults is their debut release, an album rich of 70’s inspired musical goodness combined with modern influence. Suego Faults is inspired by a utopia that the band’s frontman Max McElligott discovered in his dreams. Crazy, I know. However, Suego Faults is a typical ten-track album starting strong and finishing just as well.
Opening song ‘Lion In Cages’ can be declared the band’s anthem, setting the tone of what to expect in this dream utopia. The weird delays, crunched-up drums and the compressed synths result in a feel good, euphoric song that you can’t help but to love.
Next up is ‘Something Unusual,’ a much softer romantic song with a strict but still flowing vocal delivery and a memorable, staccato, synth harmony. With the sudden uplifting chorus, this track is on par with its previous effort.
Third track, ‘Stay and Defend’ presents the listener with the dreamiest intro riff yet and the best, most infectious piano pop that can be found on Suego Faults. Evident is the vibrant and strong choruses belted out by McElligott whose voice sounds of similarity to the great David Bowie. Title track ‘Suego Faults’ is without a doubt the album’s most underrated track. It’s grand, powerful and overall an atmospheric song. It showcases the great vocal range that McElligott possesses in its chorus, accompanied by guitar and strings that bring much life and spirit to the song.
The mood instantly picks up on single ‘The King and All Of His Men’ with its surging and charging rhythm sounding like the Naked and Famous’ ‘Punching In A Dream.’ The song sounds with much glamour and joy as evident in McElligott’s voice. ‘Back To Back’ changes pace, presenting a more moody and heartbroken feeling yet it seduces with its three note bass line and high vocals in the chorus proving that this dream world is not all perfect. This track is easily the lowest point of the album.
‘Midnight Dancers’ is a classic 70’s rock ballad, gentle and lovable for the 21st century. The xylophone played in the beginning and throughout adds a sense of innocence that isn’t found anywhere else on the album, which is a nice change. ‘Dancing With The Devil’ flourishes at the beginning sounding like a typical lo-fi surf rock song and then the vocals enter with the steady beat and guitar strumming leading the way. The descending xylophone passage adds well as an ornament to the chorus.
The guitar on penultimate track ‘Where Are You Now’ is lovely and complements McElligott who is crying out in desperation. Closing track ‘Planets’ brings a grand space odyssey; one with the perfect ending even it is not the most joyful.
In concluding this review it should be acknowledged that Suego Faults is a soulful collection of enjoyable, accessible pop music. It is superb in its uplifting choruses, catchy lyrics and overall tone transporting the listener to McElligott’s dream world – one of great beauty that anybody wouldn’t be disappointed with. While it isn’t the most unique and perhaps meaningful release this year, it is definitely one pop album that will have you hooked.
James Quick