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| Review of The Wrenfields' Seconds |
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 Mitch finally cuddles up to The Wrenfields' sophomore release entitled, "Seconds" - once he got over his aversion to the "C-word", that is.
'...despite my hip discomfort with anything that might inspire line-dancing (ugh), "Seconds" has become a warm and welcome companion to my holiday season, when such sentiments seem perfectly appropriate. '
Click "Read More" to find why you should get a heapin' helpin' of "Seconds" for yourself. Don't worry, you can work it off before spring - just like you did last year, right?
Band: The Wrenfields
CD: "Seconds"
Producer: Tyler Brown
Recorded at: The Compound, Dearborn, MI.
Year: 2002
From Pioneers to Patriots
If the Wrenfields' debut "21st Century Pioneer" represented the bold trek of former rockers into the undiscovered alt/country, their follow-up release, "Seconds" (as in another heapin' helpin') shows they're now bonafide settlers on the Americana frontier, unapologetically staking their claim in the heartland which they both praise and defend on this record.
Straddling the fence between pop-rock cool and home-cooked country corn, The Wrenfields lean towards the latter on this record without abandoning the vibe they established on their debut. The whimsy of "Gonna Be Happy", the head-bobbin' ryhthm of "Lovesick" and the breathless imagery and optimism of "Carried Away" prove the band hasn't lost any of their '21st Century' appeal, but rather have evolved into a more roots-oriented band with tracks like "We Must Say Goodbye", "Patriot's Day" and the lovely closer "Never Once Alone".
Guitarist Tom Morgan's evolving pedal-steel work and Keyboadist David Berriman's honky-tonk piano chops go a long way towards setting the tone on this record. But the inclusion of banjo, mountain dulcimer, fiddle and additional acoustic guitars (courtesy of guest musicians David Wolfenberger, Janel deVries and producer Tyler Brown) show The Wrenfields are quite serious about getting it right.
I'll admit that, at first, my rock snobbery was piqued by the knee-slappin', Hee-Haw'n rhythms and southern vocal twangs (now, would that be southern Dearborn Wrens?) on tracks such as the opener "Every Now & Then" (now I understand guitarist Matt O'Bryan's insistence on covering Eddie Rabbit songs) and "I Felt Rain". But despite my hip discomfort with anything that might inspire line-dancing (ugh), "Seconds" has become a warm and welcome companion to my holiday season when such sentiments seem perfectly appropriate.
Cooks in The Kitchen
Because every member of The Wrenfields had a hand in the writing process this time, there's such a diversity of styles on "Seconds" you never get bored with the music over the course of eleven tracks. The multiple collaborations between bandmembers on this record (nearly all of them with the extremely talented and intuitive lyricist John Pyro ) work surprisingly well and create an eleven-course meal fit for any table this Thanksgiving.
Featured Specials:
"We Must Say Goodbye" - According to sources within the band, this tasty tune is about a longtime friend of Drummer/Vocalist John Pyro's who recently moved across the country. Pryro is a gifted lyricist and together with guitarist/writer Tom Morgan they've penned some of the best songs to come out of this band. This track stuck so good, I even woke up with it playing in my head one morning. It just gives me the peaceful, easy feeling I need to get through the day without killing anyone. )
"Carry Me Away" - Another Pyro/Morgan gem, "Carry Me Away" is a powerful freeway song with enough inspired imagery to paint a patriotic postcard in your head; the only thing missing here is purple mountain's majesty and amber waves of grain, but alas, it's been done. Probably the best work I've heard from Ohio producer Tyler Brown who also produced the band's debut; more tasty layers than a turkey club. Great work.
"Patriot's Day" - Maybe the most surprising and controversial song of the year, "Patriot's Day" was written by bassist Frank Budd (who plays acoustic guitar on this track) and drummer/vocalist John Pyro. If the lyrics are assumed to be biographical in nature, this song could win The Wrenfields some new die-hard country fans while simultaneously alienating others.
Formerly titled "Katie, Bar The Door", "Patriot's Day" is post-9/11 anthem that would make Pat Buchanan blush with protectionist's pride, make the NRA lock & load with misty-eyes, and whip the religious white (er, I mean "religious right") into a frenzy of self-righteous indignation. Conservative Republicans and Libertarians might call "Patriot's Day" a masterpiece of national sentiment rivaling Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The U.S.A.". Those who sympathize with Liberals, Democrats or The Green Party, however, might call it an anthem of reactionary, lock-step jingoism for flag-waving simpletons; the musical equivalent of slogan-slinging bumper-stickers praising blind allegiance to U.S.A. Inc.
One thing neither camp can argue about is the song's dramatic and powerful effect on it's listeners, me included. Great stuff and a poignant and heartfelt reaction to a national tragedy. Read it for yourself below.
Patriot's Day (Katie Bar the Door)
Written by John Pyro and Frank Budd
© 2002 The Wrenfields LLC (BMI)
An evil of humanity / evil of humanity / an evil of humanity / has scarred this countryside
Upon our streets fell ash and soot / as hell and earth collide / this evil among humanity / has scarred my countryside / but
I'm a patriot / and proud to be / I wake each day to reveille
For the God that made this country strong / will lead our fight / our victory song
Liberty / draw back your arms / guard your freedom from this harm
Don't you let the world in anymore / oh / Katie bar the door
The sleepin' giant wakes again - the sleepin' giant wakes again / the sleepin' giant wakes again / they'd better run they'd better hide
Fear the battle hymn of our young and brave / as they put this terror in its grave / the sleepin' giant wakes again / America the great unites / cuz
We are patriots / and proud to be / awake each day to reveille
For the God that made this country strong / will lead our fight / our victory song /
Liberty / draw back your arms / guard your freedom from this harm
Don't you let the world in anymore / oh / Katie bar the door
The colors of our flag won't bleed / the colors of our flag won't bleed / the colors of our flag won't bleed / so raise old glory high
We are patriots / and proud to be / awake each day to reveille
For the God that made this country strong / will lead our fight / our victory song
Liberty / draw back your arms / guard your freedom from this harm
Don't you let the world in anymore / oh / Katie bar the door
Our guns drawn / and we will fight / protect our homeland day and night /
the colors of our flag won't bleed / so raise old glory high
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Served on the side
"Worthless" - Over the summer, I got a sneek-peek at the words to this song. I was surprised to find John Pyro had such a dark side to him. The lyrics were so harsh, I'm told, that co-lead singer Noreen Novrocki, at first, refused to sing them. Luckily, the music isn't quite so dark but rocks harder than just about any cut on this disc.
"Souvenir Smile" - an easy-does-it ode to the velvet Elvis and his tacky Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. This track has such a great turn in the chorus you can't help but sing along full volume. Features another big ending that's becoming the band's trademark.
Mystery Dish
"Mother Nature's Girl" - Due to personal upheavals over the past year, co-lead singer Noreen Novrocki never quite got yer groove on this record. "Mother Nature's Girl" is wandering and pointless, lacking both reason and direction. But her presence should never be questioned; her soothing voice softens Pyro's sometimes nasally snarl on this record and her beaming presence on stage is irreplaceable. Besides, she penned my all-time favorite Wrenfields song, "21st Century Pioneer". I've rarely been so moved.
Confessions & Conclusions
I must confess, over that past two years and as many records, I've spent a good deal of time with The Wrenfields, both at their Dearborn studio and elsewhere. So you can dismiss my opinions as glad-handling fluff from someone who's too close to the band, if you wish. My name appears in the "Thank You" credits on the J-card of "Seconds" which should effectively disqualify me from any critique of their music.
But if you trust my judgment when it comes to finding musical gems created in Michigan, I'd tell you that there's very few bands that I've come across whose songwriting skill matches that of The Wrenfields. I wouldn't have thought there was room in my life for anything resembling country music. But just like Eminem changed my mind about the appeal of rap, The Wrenfields have changed my mind about putting some twang in my life. Now heck, I think I like it. - Mitch
Don't Miss The Wrenfields CD Release Party for "Seconds"at Memphis Smoke on Dec 6th. You can go there directly from our fundraiser at The New Way on Woodward in Ferndale the same night.
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No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
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Re: Review of The Wrenfields' Seconds (Score: 1)
by distortiondave on Sunday, December 15, 2002 @ 20:00:12 MST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Matt, Tom, John, Noreen, Frank & Dave:
I gotta admit... (the hard rock/punk devotee that I am) that "C" word is growin' on me.
Hell, as long as ya keep overdriving those amps "every now and then" my interest will remain piqued!
Have Frank force some Jason & the Scorchers on the rest of y'all; it's good for the soul.
Distortion Dave |
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Average Score: 5
Votes: 9
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