The Wave Pictures – If You Leave it Alone
After the ramshackle growl of their home-recorded four-track albums, released on CD-Rs in the back rooms of pubs, this acoustic affair comes as something of a surprise to me, I have to confess. The sound, more than anything, seems very different. Given the amount of material the Wave Pictures have at their disposal there are some oldies on this, such as old favourite My Kiss, but the sting has somewhat gone out of the music with the arrangements being as they are.
The lyrics also seem to have moved somewhat beyond the half-snarled, half-wailed alienation of previous records, there is here something a little more resigned and domesticated. Earlier stuff was still quite kitchen sink in its lyrical scope, but there is a little less anguish to this stuff. Consequently the whole album, for all Tatersall is clearly a first class lyricist, seems to lack punch, to be honest. I’m enjoying it, but I’m far from blown away.
To give you an idea, have a listen to the version of Canary Wharf below and compare it to the plugged in version we filmed at the End of the Road Festival last year- the amount of bite missing is palpable, if you ask me. But then again, maybe I’m just pointlessly pining for the way things were and secretly hoping they’ll never change, despite criticising people who don’t explore new things. Music fans have been known to do that, you know.
The Wave Pictures – Canary Wharf
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The Wave Pictures – Bumble Bee
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Here’s a video of the band playing Canary Wharf live at the End of the Road Festival last year:
I started listening to WP with “Instant Coffee baby”, and I remember you complaining that it wasn’t rough enough compared to older stuff. I haven’t heard the old stuff, but I see what you mean with this one. It’s maybe a bit too…clean. Having said that, it’s still pretty great, and the lyrics are often just perfect. It sounds like almost a different band compared to Instant Coffee.
Our interview here (http://drunkcountrygent.podbean.com/2009/05/24/the-wave-pictures-interview/) goes some way to explain what went on with the writing, recording & post-production of this album.
This is my favourite WP album so far. Not because it’s their best collection of songs (they are great though) but just because it’s an enjoyable listening experience. I’ve got a couple of their early CD-Rs and it pisses me off that they sound so bad. The songs are great but it just gives me a headache listening to it as it’s so rough. Each to their own I suppose…
I’ve been enjoying this album. A lot. What with Toado’s love of ‘rough’ Wave Pictures, I had a feeling this would not be up his alley.
The music and the lyrics suggest to me an attempt at a folkier album.
I’ll go and read DC’s interview to find out just how wrong I am.
The brass on Bye Bye Bumble Belly makes me wiggle and my eyes almost do roll back while listening to Come On, Daniel.
Gav, it’s a listener not a reader. Sorry.
Which is surprising in itself, because DC never learned to read!!
Moolarb, rough they may be but that’s almost exactly why I like them – quality songs aside, of course. This just seems to lack a little… urgency, perhaps. Or immediacy. Something, anyway.
Yeah, the whole rough/clean distinction may be a bit divisive (the little I heard of the CD-Rs was probably too rough for me, too). But the songs are so well written, the roughness is less relevant.
Mmmm. Matthew, clean out your ears. The songs you have posted are great regardless of cleanness of sound.
i think the difference between the 2 versions is the simple fact that one is live and the other isn’t…
The other difference, Chutters, is the electric guitar, which I think is significant.
Euan – I didn’t intentionally post the two worst songs on the album, you know. This record is okay, but it lacks a bit of zip, to my ears.
yeah but….
canary wharf is a class tune. i’ve never really heard their early rough stuff so can’t comment too much, but i hear absolutely nothing wrong here. it’s nice to hear a stripped back more acoustic sound from them. they are quality song writers regardless of production.
Aye, that they certainly are.
It’s not the production in this case – this is far, far from over-produced – more the arrangements and the playing. It’s gentler than previous stuff, is maybe more what I was trying to say, presumably by virtue of the whole album being played on acoustic guitar.
perhaps that change in pace is a positive thing? nice to mix things up perhaps.
Oh I’d agree with you in principle, just that in this case I am not overwhelmed with the results. Another five albums of crackly, low-fi bedroom rock would benefit no-one though, you’re right, and would make them look a little lazy.
fair enough, i just think the songs are good and it’s a nice difference from the last album without losing the quality song writing and excellent lyrics which for me make them special.
i do much prefer sophie to this album. certainly this is a more folky approach, though if you want to hear tattershall doing a decent folk-styled album then i would have to suggest the hayman, wtakins, trout and lee album.
Anyone heard the Dan Of Green Gables album? Was wondering what it was like.
“Dan Of Green Gables is the first release on Wymeswold Records. The band includes David Tattersall and Franic Rozycki of The Wave Pictures on guitar and mandolin, who are joined by violin master Dan Mayfield. The album was recorded in the first week of April 2008 in Leyton, and contains 9 songs written by Dave Tattersall.
Songs writen by David Tattersall
Played by Dan Mayfield, Franic Rozycki and David Tattersall
Recorded in Leyton in April 2008
Released on Wymeswold Records, April 2008
Catalogue number: Wymeswold 01″
From http://www.thewavepictures.com/webpages/albumpages/dan_of_green_gables.htm