Released today, the second album from Wolf People is another riff-laden monster. Instantly accessible, and even more rewarding with every additional listen. Another fine slab of psych-prog-rock, further drenched with traditional English/ Scottish folk melodies this time around. The album hasn’t taken the band too far from their 2010 album Steeple, but that’s not to say it isn’t full of fresh ideas. Despite obvious links to the music of the late 60’s/ early 70’s Wolf People also manage to create a sound which is current and even refreshing; here’s a group of guys who know their musical history inside out, and aren’t afraid to mix and match taboo genres either as a result. They know what they like, and welcome you along for the ride if you want.
Recorded in an isolated house in the Yorkshire Dales, rammed so full of equipment the band had no choice but to sleep outside in tents and caravans despite the continual rain – the fire burned continuously night and day. Something in the recording definitely conjures up those scenes when you put it on to listen too. A feeling of both cold/ warmth, isolation and a heady feeling of the wilderness and nature surrounding.
The album clocks in at just under forty-five minutes long, eight tracks in total and all of them choc full of direction changes and unexpected twists. Wolf People are a band in control of their instruments and their ideas. Despite the lengthy tracks you never get the feeling that they’ve outstayed their welcome anywhere on Fain, live however there’s no doubt these tracks could open up endlessly.
If I was to highlight a few tracks I would suggest recent single All Returns with its catchy interweaved guitar parts, Thief with its tales of old highwaymen or more psych track Athol. Hesperus starts off fairly mellow and quaint and doesn’t really get going properly until just short of two minutes in when the guitar riff takes a beautifully sinister turn. The kind of riff that makes you want to pick up a guitar and thrash along (regardless of whether you know how or not). For me, this is where Fain is at its best.
[Rating:4]
www.wolfpeople.co.uk
