Wolf and Cub - Vessels (Album)
» Wolf and Cub Announce National Tour - March 27, 2007
» Sounds in the Grounds - Manning Bar - Sydney University, NSW - November 2, 2007
» Wolf and Cub - Adelaide Uni Bar, SA - May 19, 2007
» Wolf and Cub - Money troubles - September 20, 2006
» Stage Effects - East Brunswick Club Hotel, Vic - September 16, 2006
» Flamingo Crash, Die! Die! Die!, Wolf and Cub - Troubadour, The, QLD - October 14, 2005
Wolf & Cub are a young 4-piece from Adelaide that have been stirring a lot of hype around the world of late and were recently signed to the infamous label 4AD (which is home to many great artists such as The Pixies, TV on the Radio and Mountain Goats). The young band made up of Joel Carey, Joel Byrne, Adam Edwards and Thomas Mayhew have been described as Stoner Rockers with a large dose of psychedelica and classic rock. Perhaps one of the bands more famous traits is their incorporation of two drummers.
Vessels recorded in the boys hometown of Adelaide is an impressive yet lacking release. The albums production makes is sound like it was recorded in a glorious desert of Egypt, it’s a record that is beautiful in places and almost sexy like in other places, but you cannot help but feel that these chaps are trying too hard to be hip. The songs indulge in fuzz and feedback and sometimes drag on a little. That said some tracks such as “This Mess” are brilliantly sculpted pop songs that show the true potential of the band. Slower tracks such as “Hammond” show the bands more sensitive side, embracing sounds familiar of Pink Floyd’s groundbreaking Dark Side of the Moon album in which Wolf & Cub obviously take influence from.
One of the things that disappointed this reviewer was the absence of drumming innovation. The band that are renowned for their dual drumming system seem to go along with basic drumming that any old drummer could pull off by themselves, earlier this year we saw great example of dual drumming from NYC tribal cats! Liars, it would’ve been nice to see something innovative like that from Wolf & Cub. One of the more outstanding features of the band is the vocals of Joel Carey often reminiscent of Janes Addiction front man Perry Farrell, the man has a voice that people will either love or hate. The vocals are high and unique which really work in favour of the bands music; his voice is wild yet tame. The guitar and bass work on this is mesmerizing and the production does it justice. The bass fuzz’s along steadily keeping the band on track while the guitar goes through a number changes (at one stage nearly sounding like a didgeridoo) via the 20 odd effect pedals.
Overall this is an impressive debut release from a band that have a lot to work on but also a lot of talent already working for them. The sound will develop in time and hopefully the sophomore release will realise the bands full potential to the world.
