The Wake:
Tidal Wave of Hype:
LTM Records:
CD:
Out 23rd November:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
By the mid'90s The Wake were paired down to a duo yet their fourth full-length set (their second for Sarah) sounds more like a band than its predecessor does, although various contributors were enticed into the fold including long-term producer Duncan Cameron and recent addition James Moody on bass. Tidal Wave of Hype first appeared in 1994 to muted responses from both critics and onlookers alike despite being preceded by the politically-driven single Major John. However, three years had passed between that and this lengthy album and no further singles were issued, translating into relative indifference.
There is much to like here though - the rocky Shallow End and Crasher point fingers at social misfits and dullards while Obnoxious Kevin gives Carolyn Allen a turn on the mic. The snide Provincial Disco evokes teenage memories of just that - sorry pissed evenings watching white-shirted blokes strutting like peacocks in some godawful estate pub or town bar - while the instrumental Back of Beyond provides light relief in C86 style. The same song re-appeared as a vocal track in 2012 for the triumphant comeback album A Light Far Out. Down On Your Knees is also an often-ignored little gem that contains all the usual trademarks of old - sparkling keyboards, whispered vocals and busy basslines a-plenty.
Some of Tidal Wave suffers from under-recorded vocals resulting in a wash of sound rather than typical Wake clarity but the inclusion of the reflective Major John and its less memorable (but still bitchy) flip Lousy Pop Group more than makes up for the album's audible shortcomings.
The preceding Make It Loud album is also due for release on 23rd November and has been reviewed here
Tidal Wave of Hype:
LTM Records:
CD:
Out 23rd November:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
There is much to like here though - the rocky Shallow End and Crasher point fingers at social misfits and dullards while Obnoxious Kevin gives Carolyn Allen a turn on the mic. The snide Provincial Disco evokes teenage memories of just that - sorry pissed evenings watching white-shirted blokes strutting like peacocks in some godawful estate pub or town bar - while the instrumental Back of Beyond provides light relief in C86 style. The same song re-appeared as a vocal track in 2012 for the triumphant comeback album A Light Far Out. Down On Your Knees is also an often-ignored little gem that contains all the usual trademarks of old - sparkling keyboards, whispered vocals and busy basslines a-plenty.
Some of Tidal Wave suffers from under-recorded vocals resulting in a wash of sound rather than typical Wake clarity but the inclusion of the reflective Major John and its less memorable (but still bitchy) flip Lousy Pop Group more than makes up for the album's audible shortcomings.
The preceding Make It Loud album is also due for release on 23rd November and has been reviewed here