RIYL: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Elliot Smith, Beta Band, Belle and Sebastian.
Straightforward. Honest. Earnest. These words aren’t used much thesedays to describe recording artists but after giving Wiretree’s debut LP Bouldin a listen, you’ll be wishing they were used more often. Fronted by singer-songwriter Kevin Peroni, Wiretree is an Austin, Texas foursome that crafts solid tunes with a throwback vibe to late ’70s rock and folk. While it may seems a bit reckless to throw around names like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the comparison seems just, as both groups are capable of switching gears quite ablybetween a decent variety of rock styles, adding pop, folk, blues and country elements to solid foundations and yielding consistently strong songs and imagery.
Bouldin opens powerfully with “Big Coat”, a beautifully wistful Texas ode with a gently driving acoustic melody smartly punctuated with heavy piano chords and a perfect mix of percussion and bass. With a voice evoking Elliot Smith, Peroni sings, “Hide in a place you know that no one ever goes/ Keep in a sack in which it always stays closed,” and the listener is definitely inclined to take heed. This song truly has to be heard to be believed; from the clever “ooh ooh weee ooh’s” of the bridge to the satisfyingly prominent bass line and uncluttered lyricism, “Big Coat” succeeds with simplicity and gets at your gut with mood to spare.
The following track “Travelin’ On” follows a similar formula, though an electronic synth line between the verse and chorus lends more modern feel, and “Secret Law” could easily be mistaken for a Tom Petty outtake. Another standout track, “Notion” showcases a more country-tinged vibe with a catchy chorus and a killer Hammond organ solo as Peroni uses uncluttered lyrics to muse about love, life and regret.
With so many pop and indie artists going for a retro sound lately (see Dr. Dog, Mayer Hawthorne, Duffy, Mrs. “Tattoo my Funbags” Winehouse), its great to hear a folk-rock resurrection done right and Wiretree deserve your attention for doing just that. For those legions of nostalgic baby boomers recently finding themselves with a lot of spare time on their hands, Wiretree should be just what the Dr. ordered, minus the embarrassing side effects.
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More Information
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http://www.wiretreemusic.com
