Unfortunately, the #zot2016 review ends without fireworks and with an album that was suggested to me but frankly disappointed me, to the point that I found it almost difficult to listen to. Life goes on.
Wolf People - Ruins (Jagjaguwar Records/Goodfellas, November 11, 2016)
The latest album by Wolf People (Jack Sharp, Joe Hollick, Dan Davies, Tom Watt), released on November 11, 2016, on Jagjaguwar/Goodfellas, also draws inspiration, like other albums released in the past two years in the UK alternative scene, from political and social issues. In 'Ruins', the dominant conceptual theme is set in an England defined as a bastardized nation, where spaces have been sold and paved, lit by neon; it revolves around a nature reclaiming its space despite humanity, thereby returning the world to its ancient splendor. In truth, the theme seems to also connect to the musical world because this album, recorded between Devon, the Isle of Wight, and London, serves as a manifesto against contemporary pop music (particularly brit-pop and hip-hop, which would have replaced plundering, chains, and scrofula) to be fought against at all costs, with a certain passion and references to the music of the seventies, particularly the acid rock of classic bands from the Anglo-Saxon rock tradition like Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, and Black Sabbath. The album indeed manages to fulfill its intent by blending the sound here and there with hints of stoner psych that may remind one of the more 'institutional' Arbouretum and some influences from Nordic psychedelia. However, the overall content feels completely out of time, and I am used to looking at the present or forward to solve the 'problems' surrounding me, certainly not to participate in these revivals where the original models have never interested me. It comes to mind that generally, the various offerings from Jagjaguwar tend to disappoint me more or less consistently. Just forget this album for now and enter the new year 2018 with renewed vigor. It’s a shame because it has a really beautiful cover.
Wolf People - Ninth Night (Official Video)
Wolf People - Ruins (Jagjaguwar Records/Goodfellas, November 11, 2016)
The latest album by Wolf People (Jack Sharp, Joe Hollick, Dan Davies, Tom Watt), released on November 11, 2016, on Jagjaguwar/Goodfellas, also draws inspiration, like other albums released in the past two years in the UK alternative scene, from political and social issues. In 'Ruins', the dominant conceptual theme is set in an England defined as a bastardized nation, where spaces have been sold and paved, lit by neon; it revolves around a nature reclaiming its space despite humanity, thereby returning the world to its ancient splendor. In truth, the theme seems to also connect to the musical world because this album, recorded between Devon, the Isle of Wight, and London, serves as a manifesto against contemporary pop music (particularly brit-pop and hip-hop, which would have replaced plundering, chains, and scrofula) to be fought against at all costs, with a certain passion and references to the music of the seventies, particularly the acid rock of classic bands from the Anglo-Saxon rock tradition like Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, and Black Sabbath. The album indeed manages to fulfill its intent by blending the sound here and there with hints of stoner psych that may remind one of the more 'institutional' Arbouretum and some influences from Nordic psychedelia. However, the overall content feels completely out of time, and I am used to looking at the present or forward to solve the 'problems' surrounding me, certainly not to participate in these revivals where the original models have never interested me. It comes to mind that generally, the various offerings from Jagjaguwar tend to disappoint me more or less consistently. Just forget this album for now and enter the new year 2018 with renewed vigor. It’s a shame because it has a really beautiful cover.
Wolf People - Ninth Night (Official Video)
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