Well well fucking well. Here we are in 2008 heralding a new Wedding Present album. To be truthful their last effort 'Take Fountain' made me want to headbutt the wall in sorrow. I just couldn't believe the old lovelorn jowly bugger had the audacity to parade such a limp set of songs under this cherished banner. You see, the Weddoes were once my fave band in the whole world. But these days, after being spoilt through choice in my bestest record shop, they take a back seat in my life (currently). But Albini has done the unthinkable and toughened up the fading facade to bring forth possibly the strongest set of grizzly Gedge compositions in 12 years. The original swansong, 'Saturnalia' was (& still is) one of their finest moments, full of breathless, fizzy pop classics. 'El Rey' has a bit of that frantic, joyous spirit, some slower, more considered songs and that unmistakable production that beefs up the dynamics beautifully making it a sure old skool fan pleaser. It's the way the winding bass twists round the moody guitars & the distinctive voice whilst the drums (whilst not the work of the brilliant Simon Smith) are more than satisfactory, playful, hard and rolling, fleshing out the previously dormant CLASSIC sound. From heartbreak lullabies to dynamic indie, this is the true follow up to 'Saturnalia' and a return to form. True, there's a handful of limp moments that upset my colleague Mingus greatly, and the original early 90's line up will NEVER be bettered but it's really good to have them back, torchbearers of the original Leeds sound. The guitars may not be so frantic & duelling, but this is a very satisfying and varied work with a couple of female vocalled spots that add a pleasing dimension. Good stuff. LP/CD on Vibrant.
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What their label says...
Originally released in may 2008 on the now defunct Vibrant Records, now re-issued on The Wedding Present’s own Scopitones label, “El Rey” was The Wedding Present’s first collaboration with the legendary Steve Albini since the renowned “Seamonsters” in 1991. Written while David Gedge was living in Los Angeles, “El Rey” burns with West Coast sunlight; Hollywood seen through the eyes of a gritty Northerner. Speaking about “El Rey” in Mojo magazine Gedge said: “I’ve been living in West Hollywood for the last year or so, and while I’m not going to claim that this is my ‘L.A.’ album, there are some references. I suppose the themes are lust, jealousy, betrayal, regret, obsession, super-heroes… the usual. We chose to record with Steve this time because the new songs were sounding very guitarry and quite dark. It’s been good. As you’d imagine, really; Albini knows his stuff”. "A beauty. Some of the funniest, cleverest and most relevant indie you're likely to hear this year" [NME (UK)] "Gedge has consistently been way ahead of other, more lauded musicians" [The Guardian (UK)] "Hooray for Hollywood! El Rey is The Wedding Present in widescreen. The emotions were always this big but the streets were narrower" - Andrew Collins [writer and broadcaster].
