Apr

26

WHY?’d It Take So Long(?)

Filed Under Updates 

As a fan of Bay area hip hop/popsters WHY?’s breakthrough album Aloepecia, it would seem natural that the follow-up, 2009′s Eskimo Snow, would constitute an immediate purchase. Reports of the album not having the hip hop flavor of its predecessor detracted, though fans need not mourn, but rejoice. I’m certainly sorry I waited.

Where Brian Wilson used Pet Sounds to vent insecurities through gorgeous arrangements and musings that only border on darkly innocent, Wolf goes for the gut and keeps going south. His musings can only be categorized as dark, but not without a self-reflective wink. “No flash photography,” Wolf nearly croons on “Even the Good Wood Gone”. While the music doesn’t push any boundaries, it’s as finely crafted pop as one could want. Strains of current string-n-vibraphone trends can be heard, but don’t overpower. These are songs to dissect and sing along with, make no mistake.

It’s true that WHY?’s lyrics can polarize, but for those willing to listen, Wolf provides images that don’t lend themselves to quick interpretation and reward multiple listens. His blend of humor, confession, and bleak observation create a curious hope, finding salvation in the communal listening experience and memorable melodies. Taking a self-reflective stance on “Into the Shadows of My Embrace”, Wolf plays Smokey Robinson in the opening bars, as a schlocky “chank-chank” guitar keeps time before giving way to double time:

“I conquered my own childhood silence/And now the world is my lit confessional marquee/But it’d take a bus load of high school soccer girls/To wash those hospitals off me”

Eskimo Snow, as with the rest of WHY?’s catalog, is a challenging, rewarding listen. Don’t wait.

“These Hands/January Twenty-Something” video from WHY?’s Eskimo Snow

WHY? – These Hands / January Twenty Something from anticon. on Vimeo.

WHY? – These Hands / January Twenty Something from anticon. on Vimeo.

Will Thompson’s usually long and pretentious by-line should appear here.

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Comments

One Response to “WHY?’d It Take So Long(?)”

  1. Chelan on April 26th, 2010 11:05 am

    I agree. You should not have waited on this album. Even the Good Wood Gone=excellent.

    I think Eskimo Snow made me go back and examine Elephant Eyelash (and earlier) even more in depth. They’ve grown up so much! (sniffle sniffle)

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