Wildes, The - Ballad of a Young Married Man (Album)
A nice surprise was to find out this band is from Victoria, and delivers a stunning CD of home-grown country/story telling music from their album titled Ballad of a Young Married Man. At times I was taken back to days of listening to Nick Cave's music and this I found comforting. Country music these days falls steadily on my ears but I wouldn't necessarily put them in the country basket. Their upbeat tempo and use of various instruments joined with the story telling singing by Lachlan Bryan, compliments the bands array of music and shows how their is a lack of this style around. Lachlan has warmth in his voice and he takes on the lengthy lyrics in all songs as well as plays the banjo, claps and occasional keyboards. Andrew Wigglesworth gives the music a beat with lap steel, dobro and electric guitar.
The other two members are Mat Duniam on drums, percussion and mandolin and Shaun Ryan on bass and claps. The cd itself lists six other friends who contributed to the making of this cd. The song Jack the Blacksmith has great guitar riffs and is joined with crooning vocals, you can imagine oneself hitting the high road out of town with the stereo up and this music belting out.Nothing has passionate flares and Sweet Teresa shows a fun and light side, with cheeky harmonies and lyrics such as 'You been my friend and lover, but I don't know which is worse'.
If I've Done You Wrong displays a melody that is easy to sway to with more crooning vocals, "If I've done you wrong then I'm not sorry" an affectionate break up song of the truthful variety. Slap-Back Mary is murder-esqe "She buried them seven feet below" a mystery murder tune of an orphaned child and the suffer she goes through and the suffer she puts other through.
I feel The Wildes are a must see live band and I suggest you check them out. The cover art is also fantastic.
