The Grouchy Gaijin's Thoughts on Music and Such

The Wandas are out of Boston Massachusetts.

Their latest video for the song Thank You Note can be seen here.

The name of their album is New Wave Blues.

I was eager to hear their stuff. Their PR guy comes across well and they make a point of mentioning that they “are most proud to have achieved all of their recent success completely independently; without the help of a record label.” I think that is kind of cool.

They also make a point of mentioning that “the WANDAS have caught attention with their latest move of selling all of their personal belongings with the exception of their musical equipment and moving into a 27 foot RV relentlessly touring the United States; international dates to follow.”

Hmmmmm. Struggling rock band sells belongings and hits the road. What a cutting edge idea..

Unfortunately that statement sums up their music as well. What I mean is while on the surface it appears interesting, what you soon realize is that there is nothing here that stands out. A lot of bands have sold their stuff and hit the road and a lot of bands makes very similar bland music like the Wandas.

The guys can play. The singer can sing. The music is boring and at times really cheesy in an EMO deep and sensitive sort of way. I don't really think of this as rock music. It is more like adult contemporary. I have an image of middle aged folks in lawn chairs drinking Chilled Chocolate Grasshoppers. Uggg!

Track 1: New Wave Blues – 51 seconds before the music starts – we do get sound effects though.

This song isn't too bad, but I could do without the seagulls or whatever they are chirping in the background. At the 2:30 mark there is some nice guitar for about 20 seconds.

Track 2: Bending Over Backwards - A Go-Gos drum beat starts off the song – then the snooze starts. The falsetto chorus bugs me. This guy is just so sensitive – I want to save you so you can save me – ooooo

Track 3: Thank You Note – Not a bad song. In fact I kind of like this one – then the words start. He pours his heart out that because of whoever the song is about he will survive. It would be OK if the majority of the songs on the album weren't just as whiny and sappy, but they are.

Track 4: Please Come Home – nice piano – more whoa is me EMO. You know I almost expect to see things like “ The Wandas like raindrops on rosebuds and long walks on the beach” in the liner notes. The thing that really gets me in this song though is the extreme Beatles/Julian Lennon OOO chorus. Come on guys.

Track 5: Everyday – There is some nice guitar here. But by this time I am wondering if this guy ever has a good day? Everyday is as bad as Monday but somehow today is worse/I'll never give up until you give in so give in Dude, you know why she won't give in? She is sick of your emotional bullshit.

Track 6: Trepidation – at last some cool guitar and a nice bass line. The song actually rocks. The singer is still in a weird place then some kind of odd high pitched nagging voice comes in. Its like a call and response with his mind. Good God I'm listening to something from Styx or Night Ranger. That whole experimental inner conversation thing ruined the song.

Track 7: 1 in 4 – Julian Lennon is back if only in spirit. I'm getting really board.

Track 8: Fighting a War: A song about the singer being dumped by some girl. Big surprise huh? You lied to my face / now I must replace / You /but tell me what to do / should I abandon you? / Tell me what to do I just can't take it. What a wimp! I can't even concentrate on the music I'm laughing so hard.

Track 9: The Lady – Wait this song is even worse than the last one. We get Tom Jones / Barry White vocals whispering in between the chorus And as I walk outside I slip away from the only thing I've ever known. I'm a giraffe out in the field. And in my old age I wait for the sun to shine (something I can't make out) stick it (something else I can't make out)

Track 10: Lose You – More inane crap. He apologizes for perhaps offending some girl and wonders if he was out of line. He then promises to be a good little boy.

Track 11: Better Now – There is nice pretty guitar in the beginning. Then some God awful female singer comes in and they do a duet.

These guys made me laugh – at them.

Grouch rating 1 scowl and welcome to the albums that suck page.

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