I'm a bit late on this as I hadn't realised that the excellent Italian band, Smile, has changed their name after Thom Yorke nicked the name. I also normally pay keen attention to my good friend Darrin's Subjangle label release. So I am sitting in the corner with a hat with a D on it that doesn't stand for Don.
There is a wonderful Jangle Rockiness to this at times, but the album is also a bit IRS goes Glasgow. Michele Sarda's vocal does get close to Michael Stipe's on several occasions to the point that the quartet sound more American than Italian.
The aforementioned Jangle is the thing that will grab IDHAS followers most, but there is plenty more than a step away. World Of One allows the pace to quicken and the resulting Indie Rock is a joy to behold. The song even edges toward Prog, guitar wise, at times.
Half Faith. Half Strange is out and out noisy College Rock, you can only imagine how well it will translate live, it is right in your face. Excuse even sounds like something from the US in the 90s and shows that Jangle doesn't have to be slow and repetitive, it can take a more aggressive form.
Worthy Of Nothing starts like something by The Police until the breakout and What A Heart Is For is splendid Indie Pop, a little Windbreakers maybe. But the real revelation is slower The Way We Die Tonight, a much moodier affair with a killer riff which builds and builds to an awesome solo.
I note that the band are playing SXSW on the 15th March at The Stay Put closing the night. If you are amongst the melee, this lot are well worth your attention. If not, then you can listen to the album to be convinced. The Wends really deserve to be far far bigger.
You can listen to and buy the album here. The Subjangle release is sold out, here's hoping for a reprint.
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