Wwolves - It's Morning/Something's Got To Give

Hear The Track Here

Not, as you might suspect, a musician with a stammer, Wwolves is a band (it says here) from Derby in the UK whose request for a review has finally worked its way to the top of the Everest of reviews in my inbox. Completely new name to me but they are an Alternative (Ed: who isn't?) band who started off as a solo project and grew from there. Something's Got To Give and It's Morning is their debut release which Paul Whittington (main mover) was kind enough to send me. I don't know about you guys but personally I find pretty much all labels meaningless and the Alternative one worst of the lot. For instance, it's genesis is because Americans (being right lazy bastards phonetically) couldn't get their head around the term 'punk' so pretty much labeled everything that was a bit different Alternative, which totally defeats the purpose to my sense of reason.

No dear, that's mind reason not Reason reason (Ed: wtf??)

Truth is, these tracks have a lot more to do with folk and country than anything spotty and confused, which is the image Alternative usually springs up for me. What sets them apart, however, is the way the various musicians (Lee Horsley (piano/organ), Jade Brightwell (violin), Jim Widdup (pedal steel) and Frazer Knight (drums) among others) step up to the mark and the flawless way all of this was recorded. Wwolves are signed to a label, Intention Industries, but I suspect that there isn't a lot of money in it therefore - surprise, surprise - these musicians did these because they wanted to, and made a brilliant job of it into the bargain. Seriously, the best kind of music, one where the prime object IS the music...

The problem is that then you are faced with the choice of which track is better, although from the first plays my preference leaned hugely towards Something's Got To Give. Having said that, both tracks are more than worth a drive-by listen especially if the lineup I mentioned above appeals to you. My hat is off to Jim Widdup on the pedal steel, an instrument I have a special taste for, especially when played with a touch of subtlety. Kinda unfair to single him out though because every participant contributes their all, as the music undoubtedly shows. You can always tell when love and devotion has been lavished on the music, it gives it warmth and - God forbid - heart and soul, and these two tracks have an abundance of all three qualities. For sure, you won't hear much that is more professional than this. As good as it gets.

Highly Recommended folk/country tinged Alternative.