THE WAXWINGS - Low To The Ground
Bobsled
Not quite country enough to be American, not rocking enough to be powerpop, but too brilliant for any of these labels to matter. On song after song, the 'wings mix classic 60's guitar pop melodies (Beatles, Byrds, et al.), some twangy undertones and occasional psychedelic gloss on a record that will stay in your memory and CD player for days upon end. The mood of the disc oscillates from haunting to happy jangle, sometimes during the course of the same song. This is best illustrated on the finale, 'It Comes In Waves', which starts as a rustic shoegazer (like prime Stone Roses or Ride) but then shifts into pretty Crosby, Stills and Nash-like harmonies until the song washes into a beautiful textured bliss. There are some straightforward pop winners: 'Low Ceiling' has a Pernice Brothers feel; 'Keeping The Sparks' is country-rock bliss, 'Untied' is Rank and File meets the Searchers, and there's plenty more. Meanwhile 'Fragile Girl' also takes on an American Stone Roses vibe (more please!) and the pretty 'Different Plane' outdoes the Beachwood Sparks at their own game. The Detroit quartet skillfully renders all of these numbers with the confidence usually found in a long established band. And did I mention those soothing sweet harmonies? I did? Well they're that good. A spectacular debut.
MIKE BENNETT (9.5)
Here in Detroit, there's never a shortage of knuckleheads trying to recreate the heavy glories of the late 60's. Right now, thankfully, we're in the midst of an encouraging pop revival, so Wayne Kramer wannabes are taking a back seat to the likes of the Waxwings. On their debut full-length, LOW TO THE GROUND, the Waxwings offer chiming guitar pop that falls somewhere south of Sloan and north of neo-canyon-rockers like Beachwood Sparks. The current Waxwings lineup originally performed as vocalist/guitarist Dean Fertita's backing band, changing their name some months prior to this release. LOW TO THE GROUND plays like a group effort, though, showing a well-knit sonic identity. Opening track 'Keeping The Sparks' has an insistent chorus with just the vaguest whiff of Syd Barrett. There's interesting, echoey space carved out of 'Fragile Girl' and powerful guitars on 'Ten O'clock Your Time' recall labelmates Velvet Crush. Guitarist Dominic Romano contributes 'Untied' and 'Sleepy Head', both of which have a looser indie-rock character, adding texture. Two more standouts: the 12-string-laden 'Into The Scenery' and 'Low Ceiling' an orch-pop gem. Production is atmospheric and understated. Shortfalls are few; LOW TO THE GROUND can be faulted for a meandering last track and a somewhat affectless vocal style.
LOW TO THE GROUND is a promising release full of classic pop sounds with modern snap, shimmering guitars, and a pleasing lyrical ambiguity beyond the usual power-pop sha-la-la fare. And it's just the beginning of what you'll be hearing out of Detroit soon; Motor City's no longer burning, it's popping.
JULIE LEDFORD (7.5)
At their website, Bobsled records call The Waxwings CD "flat out one of the greatest debuts ever" When I first played LOW TO THE GROUND, I almost fell from my chair! This CD starts off with one of the catchiest songs I have ever heard!! That song, 'Keeping The Spark', could have easily been a lost and forgotten 60's gem and could have been recorded by acts like The Parade or the Palace Guard. And fortunately the magic didn't stop after this song. LOW TO THE GROUND is one of the best debuts I have heard in years. It consists of some sheer melodic pop heaven bits ('Keeping The Spark', 'Into The Scenery'), some pure power pop ('While You Spiral', 'Untied', and the 9 minute long epic 'It Comes In Waves'), some acoustic Big Star influenced songs covered with a layer of country rock ('Different Plane', 'Firewood'), some rock ('Ten O'Clock your Time') 80's influenced pop ballads ('Sleepy Head') and a 60's psychedelica influenced track ('Low Ceiling'). The lead vocals and harmonies throughout are fantastic and the tight arrangements and production only add to the melodic beauty of the 11 songs on this record. LOW TO THE GROUND is simply astonishing and the only advice I can give you, is to not let The Waxwings fly past your CD player. Catch them and hear one awesome debut CD!!!!!!
PATRICK BECKERS (9.5)
www.bobsledrecords.com