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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TRACKLISTING
1. Santa Ana Winds 2. Spider-Man On Hollywood 3. I Lost The Monkey 4. Soup 5. Palisades 6. The Trouble With Men 7. Model, Actress, Whatever 8. Don't Take Me Home Until I'm Drunk 9. The Thing I Like Best About Him Is His Girlfriend [Santa Monica And La Brea Version] 10. Boo Boo 11. Swingers
“El Rey” - the first new long player in over three years from The Wedding Present - was recorded in Chicago by Steve Albini will be released on 26 May 2008.
The band returned from an eight year hiatus in 2004 with the release of “Take Fountain”. This long awaited album brought them back into the spotlight with all the style and sophistication associated with a legendary group, but fans were also pleased to see the band had lost none of the growling angst with which they had burst onto the scene with their 1985 debut, “George Best”. That intensity has been turned up even further for the new album, “El Rey”, The Wedding Present’s first collaboration with the legendary 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. The band will be playing a short British tour immediately following the release of the album followed by European festivals throughout the summer.
