Review Summary: "Every last bit of me, and no in between, just take whatever you see"
It’s interesting how textures can change moods based on context. For as inviting as jangle pop is there’s a misty frigidness to its classic records, supplemented with cover art that’s mostly comprised of cool tones. One exception to this trend was Leeds based The Wedding Present whose big records all incorporated warm tones, particularly bright reds and swampy greens. This correlates with how The Wedding Present approached their lyrics and general sound compared to their contemporaries. Where a lot of classic jangle pop feels shrouded in mystery, The Wedding Present make plainspoken love songs, whether they be one time flings or the forming/falling out of impactful relationships. Their music just emanates the feeling of summer, of sweat slowly dripping from the the beating sun, of small moments you cherish for how fleeting they are. No other album in the band’s discography encapsulates this better than 1994’s
Watusi.
The album opens off with “So Long, Baby”, which lulls you in with gentle strumming, a bobbing bass line, and David Gedge’s suave yet boisterous vocals, then suddenly jerks up in tempo to a more high strung performance. On my first listen, I thought the album needed more curveballs like that, but repeat listens reveal the nuances in the group’s experimentation. The acoustic guitar is used extensively compared to previous records, in fact some of
Watusi’s best moments come from the acoustic taking the lead and giving the album’s more intimate moments some breathing room. Bongos, pianos, and trombones spruce up compositions for the careful listener and are blended into the mix effortlessly. Lastly, the band’s surf rock influence becomes more apparent, typified by the closing track “Hot Pants” which is a bona fide surf rock instrumental. This is all tied together by David Gedge’s charismatic croon. From the earnest declaration of “Click Click”, to being smitten by the girl-who-knows-what-she-wants in “Gazebo”, to even the shameful infidelity of “Big Rat”, there’s a jubilation to Gedge’s narration that’s in love with letting your heart take over and taking your chances, even if you regret it. In that respect Watusi might be The Wedding Present’s definitive statement. While their previous record
Seamonsters is more dynamic, this album flows like a summer breeze, and by the time your fun in the sun is over you wish you could do it all over again.
