Das Wanderlust - Horses For Courses

Huw Stephens album of the week! Lead review n Plan B and also the track "I Wish I Was A Robot" was used on Soccer AM! Not a bad start given that their first gig was over four years ago (24th Nov 2004, to be precise), Das Wanderlust's debut album has certainly been a long time coming. Given the numerous line-up changes, false starts, let downs, broken vehicles and an almost terminal lack of cash (the band's only dalliance with a 'proper' label being a fairly disasterous and short-lived fling with Fierce Panda, for whom this album was originally recorded back in 2007) its a minor miracle 'Horses For Courses' even exists, let alone that its finally set to see the light of day. Even more miraculous is that not only have Das Wanderlust managed to survive - they can now boast of having a stable line-up for over a year, and close to 100 gigs around the UK & Europe - but that they have somehow managed to produce a debut album so breathtaking in its scope, originality, and sheer song-writing brilliance that some critics are already calling it 'the finest debut album we've never heard'. The music itself is hard to classify other than that it is most definitely pop of some sort, albeit a particularly wonky, everything-including-kitchen-sink sub-variety. Despite what the NME say it is most definitely nothing to do with Riot Grrrl, being closer in spirit to experimental pop artists such as The Fiery Furnaces, Deerhoof, and anyone else with a blatant disregard for conventional song structure and a penchant for making music with whatever they happen have to hand (as well as the standard guitar/drums/keyboard set-up, the album also features bass clarinets, flutes, saxophones, kitchen utensils, birdsong, and so on). Horses For Courses will be accompanied by a download-only single (two tracks from it have already been supported by the likes of Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens, Marc Riley, and Stuart Maconie), and supported by a full national & local press/radio campaign as well as a typically shambolic UK tour.

Tracklisting: 1. Pyramintro 2. Puzzle 3. We're All Doomed 4. Sea Shanty 5. Perception Is A Funny Thing 6. Turn To Grey 7. Sherlock Holmes Is Better Than You 8. Where Nobody Knows Your Name 9. Celebrate Ourselves 10. I Wish I Was A Robot

So, what do you think? Best reviewer each month gets £10 off their next order!