Wonderful Allstars
If lo-fi music is to be seen to be the true antithesis of and the safe haven from the pompous production and over statement of major label produced indie and rock music, that some believe it to be, and if contemporary bands such as Charlottefield, Bearsuit and the like are to be remembered for anything other than a few bleeps or barren vocal screeches when the bearded one in the sky comes to judge us and James Blunt for all of his sins, then the whole genre desperately needs a quick fire kick up the arse.
In the way At The Drive In brought hardcore and punk music kicking and screaming into the 21st century and in the way The Deftones revolutionised Heavy Metal, this much-maligned genre needs some major treatment and quick. Ben Gibbard tried his luck on his All Time Quarterback project, Connor Oberst on the early Bright Eyes recordings and some would even argue Pavement had a crack on 'Slanted and Enchanted' but, as yet, no one has really made this most eccentric strand of popular music stand out.
This suggest two further questions. Firstly is it possible to invigorate such a fundamentally DIY genre and secondly, and most importantly, is there anyone out there worthy of taking on the mantle and giving it a go? Listening to the debut album from Wonderful Allstars, the answer would appear to be a resounding yes. From the very first burst of home made Casio keyboards, dirty as hell bass lines and angular guitar riffs to the very last, this is the sort of quality of music that should make Franz Ferdinand and the like ashamed to call themselves anything other than over blown hype. Opener 'Go' is a shambolic but glorious concoction of synth and string while closer 'Chalet 10' is the soundtrack to a thousand trippy nightmares.
The fact that this album sits in such a curious place is entirely what makes it so interesting. There is a familiarity to the sound of many of the songs, 'Strength Of The Bear' reminiscent of Pinback, 'Code 70' could quiet easily be a Beck song but it is such a relief to see proof that genuinely leftfield artists are still out there because this is music firmly experimental in construction yet some of the most genuine and no-nonsense music to have emerged for a very long time.
Whether Wonderful Allstars will actually end up bringing lo-fi more widespread recognition is debatable. Perhaps the genre is more likely to thrive and remain untainted without. What is undeniable though is that the kick in the arse has well and truly been dished out and that for those in the know, let us introduce you to your new favorite band.