Wellingtons, The - Heading North For The Winter (Album)
» The Wellingtons return - August 14, 2009
» The Wellingtons - Evelyn Hotel, Vic - December 12, 2008
» Heartbreak Club - Tote, The, Vic - November 30, 2008
I heart The Wellingtons and their happy, pop-rock tunes. The new record Heading North For The Winter stays true to their mission statement to write direct, hook-filled upbeat power-pop songs. From beginning to end, you’re hit with the highly infectious guitar hooks that’ll have you unashamedly bopping around to the power pop goodness like a five-year- old on a sugar high. These guys are more fun than hopscotch and hula hoop. The delightful vocal harmonies and soaring guitar melodies are so bright and cheery, you can’t help but smile at the unadulterated pop-drenched bliss. The Wellingtons find strength in their lyrics to.
They definitely aren’t a band with deep lyrical content and steer clear of any social commentary. However, they do have a way of making twee songs about being alone on a Friday night and the angst of long distance love seem much better than the commercial pop acts with their golden one liners such as "you’re the girl that I want at my party/ you’re so cool you probably know karate" from Song For Kim. The Melbourne five-piece have tackled the challenge of writing that ‘difficult’ third album very well.
Heading North For The Winter clocks in at just under thirty minutes and sports a number of pop gems like Song For Kim, Freak Out, Popped Balloon and Natalie. Natalie, in particular, pays homage to their early 60’s influences, and their sound in general is reminiscent of acts like Weezer, The Posies and They Might Be Giants.
Freak Out is my favourite track on this record; it’s a good song to sing along to with the simple direct lyrics of "I freak out when you say nice things to me/ I get scared cos I don’t what you’ll to do to me’'. Plus the woa-oh's in the chorus are so goddamn catchy. The Wellingtons haven’t broken any new ground with their latest release. The fast-paced, hook laden material is much the same as their earlier work, however their fondness for handclaps, synth and tambourine makes for a pleasant listening experience.
The Wellingtons are launching Heading North For The Winter at The Northcote Social Club on November 14th. Come along and support the local talent. Their pop stylings are sure to go down a treat live.
