Wolf and Cub - Vessels
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 24 / 3 / 2007

Label:
4AD
Format: CD
intro
Impressively sweltering blues rock on debut album from Adelaide-based new 4AD signing Wolf and Cub
Far darker and moodier than you would expect from a band based in Adelaide, South Australia, Wolf and Cub are something of a little secret. 'Vessels' is filled with somewhat zany tracks which all sound a little obsessed. It nevertheless, however, achieves perpetual momentum with both flashes of acid-fuelled blues which shoot from the the hip and arms-in-the-air excursions into 'Crocodile Dundee territory. Adelaide probably doesn't count any crocodiles amongst its rightful citizens but you get the picture. Thirst is the keyword for this album. Passion and alcohol help to create a happy triad, and the catchiness of the choruses of many tracks-think of 1970's heroes Slade in top form-makes 'Vessels' stand proud amongst this year's releases. It has a genuine sense of blood pumping through its veins. Coming on strong at first like sounds of a thunderstorm occuring somewhere near, the veil soon is lifted and Wolf and Cub's approach to blues rock goes smack straight into your face. Overwhelmed by Wolf and Cub's pulsating swamp-blues, you'll most likely end up exploring the outer limits of the rock spectrum. Plenty of reverb and shots of resonance do not make this some retro affair. Wolf and Cub's 70's styled muddy mayhem comes hammering in without warning. And with its rolling drums, strumming guitars and menacing, if a little flat, vocals, all of the ingredients for a psychedelic experience have been included. Yet though 'Vessels' captures the hasty pace and somewhat bland lifestyle so typical of our age-mentions of the Klaxons as being the new rave fill me with disgust-this is new rave. Cheers! The keyword is thirst and I'm sold. This is a blinder of an album.
Track Listing:-
1 Vessels2 This Mess
3 Rozalia Bizarre
4 Hammond
5 March of Clouds
6 Kingdom
7 Seeds of Doubt
8 Conundrum
9 Steal Their Gold
10 Vultures (Part 2)
Label Links:-
http://www.4ad.com/https://www.facebook.com/fourad/
https://twitter.com/4AD_Official
https://plus.google.com/explore/4AD
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