Leader of the Pack

From the Frank Frazetta album cover to the licks that hark back sounds of pure rock, Wolfmother accomplishes a sound not  heard from since the 70's downfall to disco while keeping an unseen grin as the undertone.  The Ausie trio strike retro rock gold in their debut studio album by rekindling the sounds of Sabbath, which in this case is a good thing.

Compairisons from the early 90's metal rock and 70's trips will gush forth but it would be a mistake to write this excellent debut studio album off as a retread of glam.  Simply put, this record rocks. Given, it is absurd at first play but then you find yourself enthralled by what is accomplished. 

It all kicks off in glorious form through Colossal in which lead guitarist and vocals Andrew Stockdale shows he's not scared to send this band down a path not heard in almost 30 years.  Similar, the belting licks of Joker & the Thief, which can almost be mistaken for Ferdinand at twisted moments (also see Apple Tree), shows the band is not all rock and no soul.  Dimension whales in and out of speed rock to contemporary licks. Then opus-like Where Eagles Have Been descends only to compliment the sounds of organ rock.  And somehow this all works in insane fashion.  I can't describe the head bob I get with Tales From The Forest as it fluxuates between patience and serenity to drummer Myles Heskett kicking the hook into high gear.

It can be a bit much to undertake and at times it shows.  The grandeur feeling of every song stings as it's only downfall.  The jazz flute solos are a perfect example of 'too much can kill' but never fully detracts from the overall spectrum of the album.

It's almost befitting the record was recorded in the same studio Pink Floyd used when working on The Wall. With excellent production work by D. Sardy, who's credits include Dandy Warhols, Oasis, Jet, and Helmet, to name a few, Wolfmother is able to take a grand chance in today's music scene without sounding gimmicky or trite. This is stadium rock in a time that only offers a bitter taste of what it was like when the farts of yesteryear reunite to tour for more loot.  Wolfmother should be commended for this audacious first album.