Well Wishers – “Post Modern Romantic”

Album Reviews | Mar 7th, 2011

Record Label: Thatwasmyskull Music
Genre: Power Pop
Band Link: www.myspace.com/thewellwishers
Buy on Amazon.com

*COOZER PICK*

Power pop masterminds The Well Wishers return with a brilliant, spirited fifth album. It’s their hardest rockin’ effort to date; crunchier guitars, thumpier drums, and a noticeable uptick in pace add unexpected edge. (And are those guitar solos I hear occasionally?)

I’m the sort of guy who likes fast, rockin’ music, but there’s something irresistibly appealing about the Well Wishers’ clean, harmonic and jangly music. I would say they are a guilty pleasure if I felt at all guilty about it. As such, I was a little taken aback by their slightly more alternarock offerings on here, such as the punchy “Hanging On,” “All For Nothing,” “Grammareater,” and others.

Of course, “harder” is a relative term. A little more guitar fuzz doesn’t make them Cannibal Corpse. In fact, all it does is make them sound a little more like REM than Squeeze. But I did at first miss the clean-cut, boyish innocence that I’ve grown to love about these guys (although there are some tunes on here in the vein of their older, downtempo spirit – like the sweet “Someone Else” and “Consequence of Love.”)

After a second listen though, I have to admit that their quicker-paced songs are incredibly catchy and fun. They may even be more instantly appealing than ever. Their greatest deviation is probably the highlight of the album – a joyously punky cover of The Nils’ “Fountains.”

If you’re not yet a fan, this might be a good place to start. It’s not quite as warm n’ fuzzy as their earlier works, but it’s perfect at what it means to be – expertly constructed, intelligent, and hook-laden alternative rock.

Bottom Line: This may very well be the best album REM wishes they recorded.
Notable Tracks: You know, they’re all pretty dang good.
Overall Rating:

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