"The band's studious devotion to Northern post-punk psychedelia is
truly something to behold. They sound more like a Factory band now than
they did while on the label. Joy Division and early New Order are the
guiding lights, the ghost of Martin Hannett hangs over the faders." (The
Scotsman 18/3/00)
Very smart. Clearly it took some effort to rise out of the Factory
mk.1 demise and effectively start again (transpotters note the rear sleeve
nod to their history), but they've delivered a nice follow-up. The opening
track 'Welcome' is cracking - surely a single. And 'Unpainted' smacks of
the jangly Gobbledygook sound - very distinctive. Jeremy Kerr of ACR is
name checked on this track, although I can't detect a particular
influence. They have even taken it to cover Can's 'Yoo Do Right' with
justice! I like this CD. On the surface it's a darker selection than
'Gobbledygook'. 'Dean Martin's Hangover' rates as the best trackname of
the year so far :). 'In a Long Time' uses a nice reverb on a repeated
lyric over a persistent track which reminded me of a modernised Section 25
for some reason, but there you go... Enough Factory references! Its the
band that always interested me, and Starshaped seems a nice place to be.
In my personal preferred space of electronic music, there are a couple of
bass/guitar/drum bands that always managed to break through - due to
having something unique to deliver - and the Wendys was and is one of
them. Cheers lads, I hope it works for you. Keep it up. Dennis (Review by
Dennis Remmer of 'the Factory Records
Discography'
http://listen.to/factory/)
'you do right'! well played! one of my favourite songs by can. was shocked when i heard you guys had done it. i had hoped you'd post 'unpainted' or 'sign of an idiot' as those are my favourites, but i'm happy none the less! in fact, you could say that i am equally euphoric.
Thank you for the add. I've updated my blogspot entry to reflect the proper interpretation of "Pulling My Fingers Off." I love "One Oar Short." You rock!
Madchester, Saturday 24th Nov, Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh. 11pm until 3am, Hope to catch u there! P.S. Great free giveaway on the door (That's if they're ready, lol)
Cool music. Have to say my favourite song is "The Sun's Going To Shine For Me Soon". Like the guitar part in it. I bet I'm your youngest fan :) I saw u playing when I was about 4 years old or sumthin. luv Whitey xxx
thanks for the add! i (rand) have been a HUGE fan for years. i was all about the songs 'removal' and 'soon is fine'. i think they made it to every mix tape i made for years. now, they, along with others, make it to every burned cd i make for someone. i can't believe how great the newer songs from wingspan are. i've been battling for YEARS to find that album. glad to hear at least a few of them. i'll keep checking everywhere, as i do.
i love the art plastic songs as well. very understated. nice guitar work, ian... ...and jonathan... always with the lovely in your voice... always.
any chance of you guys coming to san francisco sometime in my life? it may be a pipe dream... nah. i'll just keep wishing really hard. so hard i almost crap myself.
...oh, and who's blind in one eye in the band? (i am blind in my left.) the wendy's song 'halfblind' and the art plastic quote about 3.5 eyes hint someone may be.
glad to see you (as well as i can) here. looking forward to hearing more!
