Wheatus [ECD] - Wheatus > Reviews > Milky Way Music

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Lacking inspiration
Lyrics	Mediocre
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money

Advantages:	Plenty of energy
Disadvantages:	Needs better direction

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Everyone expects a band’s own website to be complimentary about its subject, but the official Wheatus site takes the art to new levels (take a look later and you’ll see what I mean). The group itself was founded by Brendan B. Brown (guitar, vocals) and Rich Leigey (bass) in Long Island over a shared love of the great Canadian power trio of Rush; they roped in Brendan’s adoring younger brother Peter to thump the tubs and persuaded established professional musician Phil A. Jimenez to join them. About the only thing in common between the resultant sound and that of Messrs. Peart, Lifeson and Lee is that both could be labelled as “rock”.

The opening track of “Wheatus” (this eponymous debut) is reminiscent of the early 90’s one-hit wonders the “Spin Doctors” in the hard-edged bongo drumming (“Two Princes”, anyone?) that follows the opening bass roll. “Truffles” is actually one of the best songs on offer; it showcases the energy that this band has. One thing they don’t lack is self-belief! However, this should never have been allowed to extend to the ill-advised and ill-fitting attempt at Erasure’s “Respect”. The song is desperately incomplete without the sound of the synth, but the most odious aspect is the hideousness of what my uncle calls “knife drumming” – that which cuts with over-loud intrusive beats right through the song leaving a thousand grotesque pieces. If Clark and Bell had any right of approval, I can only imagine that they allowed the version to reach the light of day so that the public would remember how much better their original was.

It’s not all bad though; “Leroy” (the second single, a double-A side with “Wannabe Gangstar”) is another example of the energetic rush that this band puts you through. But you have to wonder a little when the action moves to “Punk Ass Bitch”. Has this great language become so “diseased” that such a title may refer to a man? Mind you, the name of the bitch’s counterpart has long been used to refer to a certain kind of woman - the Baha Men even wrote a song about a group of them (oh come on, you didn’t think it was about canis vulgaris, did you?) – so I guess that’s fair enough. The song certainly keeps the general pace up before it suddenly drops into that double-A sider, which is a more sedate but very tongue-in-cheek rap. If only they could have resisted all the sound-effects, it would have been one of the album’s highlights.

And then of course there’s “Teenage Dirtbag”. Brown’s voice has a real androgynous quality (in fact I originally thought its owner was female) so when the time comes for the subject of the dirtbag’s crush to make a vocal appearance, the use of the fluffiest, cutest, little-girl candy-floss voice possible is probably very wise. Thank God it doesn’t appear for very long though! Those who wish to drool over the supposed owner of said voice might like to ensure that they buy the CD-extra version of this album, which contains the video (in two different formats - well, there is after all plenty of space to fill since the songs last less than 35 minutes…)

It has to be said that Wheatus are at their best when going in with all guitars blazing. Brown’s voice is pretty good, but he needs some coaching on delivery and some help from a lyricist; “Love Is A Mutt From Hell” is painful on both counts. If Sony allow the band to produce their next album too, then they are going to be guilty of not making the most of their investment. There’s nothing really *wrong* with this disc, but when the last track dies away, there’s no escaping the fact that it’s ultimately unsatisfying. Like a Milky Way, it’s something to fill a gap; no more. Recommended – but only just.

Track Listing: Truffles, Sunshine, Teenage Dirtbag, A Little Respect, Hump‘em n’ Dump‘em, Leroy, Hey Mr. Brown, Love Is A Mutt From Hell, Punk Ass Bitch, Wannabe Gangstar

More information: http://www.wheatus.com