New wave of American indie rock.
Michigan rockers Whirlwind Heat serve up another slice of American indie for the masses and it follows a well worn path. There may not be anything too original contained within 'Types Of Wood' but given half the chance, it's likely to find favour with many fans of indie and grunge alike.
Opener 'Kill Me' has a fuzz refrain for its entire length, giving the record an air of urgency from the very start.
Although primarily known for their first two records with more famous producers, 'Types Of Wood' sees the band broadening their sound and touches upon wider influences. 'Reagan' combines the inventive percussion style of LCD Soundsystem and the spoken story telling trick of Sonic Youth or Pavement. With a closing chorus of La La La's that even bitter generation X'ers would agree would not be out of place on Nevermind's more commercial moments, this track is an early highlight of the album.
With topics such as donating sperm or the travels of the sun, it is obvious that Whirlwind Heat are not tied to the standard songs of love and heartache.
As openly discussed by band members, the main motive in recording this record was to make the drums sound as clear and as hard-hitting as possible. With the band going as far as selecting the studio purely based upon the sound of a previous record they were trying to ape, the success is apparent as the drums do sound at the centre of everything on this album.
Weird keyboard riffs and fantastic, melodic bass fills are all over the record and musically, it is a very interesting combination of sounds. For all that the individual members sparkle, the impact of the drums will be what remains with the listeners for the longest time.
Not every song works with 'Uptight' seeming like a filler track but by and large, this is a consistent example of what young American indie bands should be about. There is freeness and an obvious lack of concern about being cool that actually makes Whirlwind Heat quite a cool act. Not everyone can pull off the air of nonchalance that cloaks this record but it's encouraging to hear records like this still being made.
Closer 'Nylon Heat' is an elongated stomper, bringing together the separate threads of the record and it's no surprise to find the drums at the heart of the instrumental freak-out that throbs and ebbs the record to its final conclusion.
Whirlwind Heat may be an act that may always be in the shadows for some people but for three young men who consider themselves artists as opposed to straightforward musicians; 'Types Of Wood' comes across as a fairly successful record.