Back To Back – Wolf Gang (Free Download)
Last Thursday was a night of pure empirical observation. To start, I concluded that the weather will always turn against me when I make the trek to Glasslands (in all seriousness, it pours every time I see a show there). I was also surprised to behold that the upstairs tables at the venue are apparently the perfect platform for fellow concertgoers to enjoy a sniff of white powder (oh yes kids, hide your eyes). What made the dampness and awkward moments worthwhile, though, was Wolf Gang, the final band on the bill and, I say with complete scientific objectivity, a likely new favorite.
Carrying the stature and polish of an established dance/pop band, Wolf Gang managed to catch the attention and attraction of what seemed like the entire audience. With catchy guitar hooks and sweeping melodies, they could easily charm a more mainstream-driven audience. By refusing to sacrifice their unique and slightly off-kilter sound, though, they still hold a huge draw for the indie world. Songs like “Back to Back” and “Lions in Cages”, though they may have more pop-based lyrics, bring with them an additional depth that this genre simply doesn’t nurture very often.
What also stood out was the feeling of a strong collaborative effort in Wolf Gang. Throughout the set, I was able to take note of each member’s individual contribution, particularly in the case of the lead guitar’s fluttering and the singer’s closely-held acoustic playing. Their drummer’s ability to produce distinctive and interesting patterns was also immensely important to the overall weight and feel of the set, and it was refreshing to find them matched by a very tightly-played base.
Surprisingly, tracks from their new album have a demonstrably more lo-fi feel than their live performance would suggest. What the clarity of their tones gave the live show, however, the echoes and feeling of distance give to the recordings. Though the sound may be quite different, both hit with the same intensity.
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