Wonderlick Loves You – Self-Titled
Despite the duo’s band name, the music is a cross between alternative country, bluegrass spiked with punk brandy & ‘70s new wave vocal relevance. A nice, surprising mix unfailingly melodious. The fiddles, banjos & slight touch of Irish jig in “Come Get On My Cloud” (a follow up dig at The Rolling Stone’s “Get Off of My Cloud”)? & as well on the joyous “Les Blank Knew” close to bombastic in its showcase (but it comes wonderfully close to The Pogues if their voices were a little gruffer).
Doesn’t matter, they’re both pleasantly quirky tunes. The unified vocals on “Lucy Don’t Be Sad” create a single character in the singing that has a strong identity. It’s a blend of the Proclaimers (“Sunshine On Leith”); They Might Be Giants (“Birdhouse In Your Soul”) & Lowen & Navarro(“Cry, Cry”). I hear it all. It works impressively. The fiddles are sharp; the banjos are striking, & the voices stretch out in formidable fashion. It creates a good landscape of sound.
There are 10 sure-fingered tunes to their 7th self-titled collection Wonderlick Loves You (Drops Oct 9/People Suck Music/39:32) was recorded in Virginia, North Carolina & California with Mike Mitchell (fiddle/guitar/mandolin/vocals), Andrew Schatzberg & BZ Lewis. The originals were written by the Wonderlick duo Jay Blumenfield (guitar/vocals) & Tim Quirk (vocals).
Taking a page from the duo Sparks (The Mael Brothers), Wonderlick Loves You gets more creative on “I’m Gonna Win (Your Love).” A catchy, catchy tune. Followed by the most commercial entry “Eric” mindful of the most memorable new wave type songs of the late ‘70s. Not as heavily orchestrated as The Beaver Brothers (1978’s “Ventriloquisms” track “You’ll Never Believe It”) but the voicings are as ambitious in that distinguished style. It’s a mannered song, well-written & played. It has its progressive rock overtones & punky stings, but the fiddles & banjos level it with traditional sauciness.
The songs see-saw between mauve & bright — some while not as articulated & involved as Stackridge (“Happy In the Lord,” “The Volunteer”) have that same dry humor. Every track is significantly performed with skill & expertise. “How To Fly” has the strongest resemblance to Lowen & Navarro with its good vocalizing. The song titles are rather elementary, but the music & lyrics are smashingly delivered.
The duo’s been recording since 2001 – quite a long time. The production value is exemplary throughout. An impressive, enjoyable & diversified album.
Highlights – “Come Get On My Cloud,” “Lucy Don’t Be Sad,” “I’m Gonna Win (Your Love),” “Eric,” “You Are Loved,” “How To Fly,” “Have You Forgotten Me” & “Les Blank Knew.”
Musicians – Lilli Shelton (banjo/dulcimer/upright bass/clogging/vocals), Margo Montgomery (vocals/banjo/clogging), David Owen (bass), Adam Clark (drums/percussion) with Kyle Coleman (French horn) & William Wittman (organ/keys).
An 8-page stitched lyric insert is included. Color image courtesy of V13 Media/Wonderlick. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.wonderlick.com/