Woodenhead has been busy celebrating an incredible 50 years on the music scene, and is treating fans not only by remastering and re-releasing their entire back catalogue of tunes, but with a landmark compilation album of their greatest hits, titled Woodenhead 50th Anniversary.
Packing 12 tracks into this time-travelling record, Woodenhead flits through a myriad of musical influences and genres, from jazz to funk, all the way through to R&B; all glimmering upon their backdrop of good old rock ‘n’ roll.
Formed in New Orleans in 1975, this instrumental album has been in the making for half a century; a mind-blowing feat from the four-piece band, whose long-term personnel include guitarist Jimmy Robinson, keyboardist Fran Comiskey, bassist Paul Clement, and drummer Mark Whitaker.
Album opener, ‘Trio,’ sets the scene: a summer’s pop-rock sound crystallised with vintage rock organs and guitar solos which edge towards heavy metal. Basslines drip with funk and melodies come steeped in quirks as Woodenhead prove their bright sense of experimentalism straight from the get-go.
‘Sugarpop’ resounds with a bold Frank Zappa twist, ‘Battlecry’ diverts all expectation by blending classical piano and Spanish guitar licks upon its emerging, cinematic, blues-rock soundscape; ‘Bonewars’ invites a brass section to sound its erratic and ever-interesting riffs.
But Woodenhead’s 50th Anniversary album isn’t pure left-field chaos: more common atmospheres permeate the track ‘Paradise,’ a song carrying the air of a chart-worthy ‘70s hit; with ‘The Big Outside,’ ‘Severely Blue’ and album-closer ‘Allison Miner’ catching hints of the same wave and riding it out into some hazy afternoon moods.
A mega drum solo fronts ‘Flock Together,’ soon dissolving into a jazz bar ambience, painted with a fresh coat of rock. Track 10, ‘Dance #2,’ is a show-stealer, however, another Zappa-inspired craze of kaleidoscopic influences which keeps you automatically hooked, on edge, and equally as mind-blown.
If you’re seeking a straightforward listening experience, Woodenhead likely aren’t the band for you. But if you’re craving some retro-inspired music that continuously pushes the boundaries of songwriting and conventional structure, which patchworks moods and instrumentation like an ever-spiralling, sonic mosaic, the Woodenhead 50th Anniversary album is waiting for you to dive straight in.
Our final verdict? Recommended.
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