Although there are obvious signs that Wyldlife fit the Wicked Cool label well with their noisy, slightly sleazy. Guitar driven and a hint of Garage Rock, there is much more here to enjoy. In the five years since Year Of The Snake, there seems a change. The New York quartet seem more aligned to the new wave of Power Pop.
And what a wave that is. Power Pop needed change. It had become uncool, sort of laughed at and more interested in celebrating the past than anything that was new. This new breed have brought a noisier scuzzy blend of the genre, more loose and certainly more in your face.
It has become far more interesting. The riffs, melody and massive choruses are still present, but the vibe is more street, more urgent and so you can appreciate that a band as good as Wyldlife but would be great at it and they are with massive interest.
The rhythm section always needs to be strong and it is here. But this is a Guitar album, a glorious Guitar album built on Riff after Riff and the vocals of Dave Feldman. It is anthemic at times, but always gripping. You can shake your fist whilst singing along. The choruses are totally splendid.
There are exceptions to the Power Pop theory. Generate 2 Terminate is great Garage Rock and Bystander is incendiary with its urgency, part Noise Rock, part Classic Rock and even hinting at Classic Rock. Goes Without Saying even gets close to UK New Wave.
The major stand out is Dizzy, a wonderful example of how engaging Brit Pop can be. Wyldlife are a band who know what they are doing, but I didn't expect all these glorious choruses and it will be high up in our end of year celebrations.
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl, CD and as a download.
...............................
