During the course of the British music scene of the last decade one band have always stood apart from the rest, and not always for the right reasons. The Wildhearts have been one of the most talked about bands this country has know, and more often than not their publicity has arisen from stories outside of the superb music they made. From trashing the Kerrang offices, to well documented problems with addictions, The Wildhearts have always seemingly embodied the rock and roll spirit of the day. Now after a gap of six years the band have returned with what can only be described as a very long-awaited new album.
The Wildhearts have self-destructed more times than I can remember, and have had a host of members during their lifespan. ‘The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed’ sees the return of the original line-up of Ginger, CJ and Stidi, minus bassist Danny, who has temporarily left the limelight to sort himself out, something we wish him well with. So after the drink, the drugs and the fights, its once again time for The Wildhearts to let their music do the talking.
Throughout all their trials and tribulations there is one thing that has remained constant with this band, and that is the music. Their back catalogue is so strong they continue to have one of the most loyal followings in the country, despite such a long wait for new material. The Wildhearts‘ music can move you in ways other bands can only dream of and it’s not hard to see why so many people (myself included) fall in love with this band.
Kicking off with ‘Nexus Icon‘ the new album immediately dispels any fears that the band may have lost their touch. Ginger‘s song writing is as strong as ever and ‘Nexus Icon‘ displays all the things that have become associated with him; it’s a fast, infectious track, with a guitar riff the size of Scotland. ‘Only Love’, by complete contrast, shows off the band’s pop sensibilities to great effect, particularly on the perfect chorus. Things go up a notch with ‘Someone That Won’t Let Me Go’, quite simply one of the album’s standout tracks.
The two singles have received some extra attention since their first sightings. ‘Vanilla Radio’ sounds even better with layers of extra guitars whereas the additions to ‘So Into You’ don’t raise it above being very average for The Wildhearts. One of the most surprising tracks on the album is ‘One Love, One Life, One Girl’ a very low key song that seems to draw on Ginger‘s solo experiences. You will find yourself liking this track a lot. ‘Get Your Groove On’ evokes memories of ‘Suckerpunch’, albeit with an ever heavier edge. This band can still do heavy with their eyes closed. The whole package is rounded off nicely with the very upbeat ‘Top Of The World’. There’s something very reassuring about this song. It just sounds like the great band you remember and it feels like welcoming an old friend home.
After a wait of six years I can’t put into words just how good it is to hear a new album by The Wildhearts. Thankfully, ‘The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed’ is no mere trip down memory lane. It is a timely reminder that this band remain one of the greatest rock outfits this country has produced for some time. Despite a couple of average tracks, this is a great album that will be lapped up by devotees, and hopefully might convert a few new followers. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait quite so long next time, although with this band you never know what tomorrow might bring!
Mark