WOLFMOTHER - VICTORIOUS (ALBUM REVIEW)

It’s been a decade since the release of their self-titled debut album but Wolfmother are still at it, touring, releasing new records you name it. Andrew Stockdale has been through his fair share of turmoil over the years with countless personnel changes and a stint of mediocre albums since they arrived on the scene. That first album fruitfully epitomised the euphoria of dis-jointed and volatile 70’s Rock but they seem to have fallen short of expectations since. Their desire to cling onto the success of this first album is all but evident in their setlist selections. We managed to claw our way into their intimate set at 2014’s BST Hyde Park with Black Sabbath, a mere 8 years after it was released. The set was dominated with tracks from ‘Wolfmother’ in fact, if we were to dig out that setlist I'm almost 99% sure it would confirm this notion. We aren't complaining at all, that album is among our favourites of all time so to hear it live was an absolute honour. It just stands as a fitting demonstration of their incapability to replicate the glory of those tracks. But lo and behold Stockdale refused to let his project rot in the gutter as that ‘oh do you remember them, they were great’ band, pulling together session musicians to work on a new album that might match the punch of his first. Let’s be real nothing is going to match that rush of hearing ‘Wolfmother’ in full for the first time but ‘Victorious’ gives it a fucking good go.

Released via Universal Music Group on 19th February 2016 the album offers the band a glimmer of retribution for their tardiness in recent years. Much like the first, it follows the same trail of thought that earned them recognition a decade ago. A cauldron of Vintage Rock influences that create arena filling sounds with a plain white canvas feel. It’s neither messy nor overkill but sharp to the touch, you get the humble feeling Stockdale is genuinely a huge admirer of music on an elementary level. He's a fan boy just like us! It's evident in the way he strives to accredit the influence of his favourite bands by mixing their styles together so eloquently and tight. With the stomp of Led Zeppelin, the pound of Black Sabbath, the scratch of The White Stripes and scream of Deep Purple the list could go on and on. We won’t bore you with pretentious insights and detailed track by track overview of the album; we’ll keep this simple as possible. There are some tracks that stand a head taller than the rest, the title track being one. ‘Victorious’ introduces itself nostalgically with a powerful galloping riff that make you want to widen your stance, raise your horns and head bang to your heart’s content. Followed by some signature drum pounds and vocal notes, that seem impossible to reach, you find yourself standing there saying ‘FUCK YES! This is more like it’. But wait! We’re only just warming up the song progresses in directions even a self professed psychic would have trouble predicting. We reach the bridge, a section of acoustic solitude which feels like a calm, airy space designed for one to unwind and relax. But what is this sorcery? Before you know it you’re back to being thrown around like a rag doll. Much like the point on a rollercoaster where they decrease the speed and let you catch your breath, tricking you into thinking it’s all over. The song reintroduces itself in what sounds like Black Sabbath – Paranoid 2.0, pure chugging riff occasionally interrupted by the odd hammer-on. Tomorrow’s neck ache is inevitable at this point, as your head bang reaches full swing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxE3r_AH13I

Gypsy Caravan is another of the albums more impressive spectacles, starting off relatively calm in the Wolfmother factory of rhythm riffs. The drums introduce themselves with a light maraca percussion bringing up the rear. It’s fairly easy listening at this point as Stockdale sings along to his instruments, nothing too daring or vigorous. You can enjoy about two minutes of this fairly peaceful vintage rock until it starts to unravel as if a sudden injection of adrenaline has been administered to each instrument. In comes a high pitched squealing solo borrowed straight from Jack White’s DeadWeather project perfectly evolving into an chunky call and response between drummer and guitarist which sounds like an energetic version of a classic Black Sabbath breakdown. This last snippet alone warrants this songs place among our favourites on the album. The final song we feel deserves recognition is ‘Eye of The Beholder’ the last song on the album. Again, needless to say, we have a galloping crunchy riff that guides the song along with the bass guitar adding that much needed meat. The stand-out aspect of this song for us is the lead section, seemingly very un-wolfmother at first, maybe something you would expect to hear on a Biffy record (at a stretch), it is extremely catchy and will oddly put a cheeky smile on your face the more you hear it. This song has a noticeable swagger to it though maybe even a bit of sass if you will. The Lead Vocals and Guitar are very suggestive which could contribute this new found attitude. The song progresses in another rapid riff breakdown before ending with the signature lead guitar.

We tend to do our homework when it comes to new records; we always give them the time of day on a first listen. How can you make a strong and informed assumption after to listening to every song once? Let the album grow on you; sink in, leave your mind open to possibility. If you go in with a negative attitude the chances are you will view it in that light and who knows? You could be missing out on the enjoyment of an incredible album because of forced preconceptions. We like to hear what others thought of a record, how their opinions differ to ours, what aspects they pick out and highlight as weaker and stronger areas. Personally we try to steer away from negative criticism, every album is good in its own way, yeah sure there may be some setbacks like it being repetitive or just not your cup of tea but you can always find the good in something and this should be celebrated. Some reviews we read seem to get caught up on the minimalistic issues with a record, clouding judgements and polluting the whole experience. We read a few reviews of ‘Victorious’ and the common theme we discovered among critiques was the lack of originality. One quote that stuck with us suggests that Victorious ‘simply colours within the lines drawn by others, scratching the itch of those already inclined to seek it out’. So Wolfmother haven’t stamped their own authority on this record? They've simply ‘stolen’ styles from elsewhere. We would agree that the album certainly has a strong influence from the likes of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath is this really a downfall though?. The reason they were so popular all them years ago, and still to this day, is that people loved their music. So why not bring that sound back to life in the modern era? We struggle to think of another band out there at the moment keeping the 70’s Vintage Rock and Roll alive in its full and pure form, many use its influence in drips and drabs but few are brave enough to tackle it head on as a style let alone create incredible albums like ‘Victorious’ so it’s kudos from us Wolfmother, Keep doing your thang, and we will see you in Birmingham next month!