Identity Crisis? I’ll Have Three Of Those Please!
We have entered an era of bands/artists who use shorthand for their names. Is it the latest trend? Is it “street”? Does it add “swagger”? Can’t they spell? Or like WSTR here, are they too busy taking over the world?
These four cheeky chappies are on the charm offensive with a Santa sack load of tunes, all the way from Liverpool, and headed for your chimney. They are on a mission to mollycoddle the morose, tickle the tormented, revitalise the restless, and fortify the forlorn with their high energy, “if you’re happy and you know it” pop punk. The question remains, would you take them home to meet your mother?
We kick things off with “Tell Me More” a great little song, crisp, clean sounding and a taster of what is to come.
“All the futures we’re denying ‘cos there’s no such thing as hope” is taken from “Crisis”- the boys beg for clarity, honesty and identity, I second that. This is a genuine crowd pleaser, fantastic chorus and a perfect choice for a single.
With echoes of Trash Boat and Oh, Weatherly, we are in familiar and friendly territory. This is comparable to the rabbit that greyhounds chase, just keep running with it and don’t look back. Next up we have adventures with a delinquent Ouija board in “Bad to the Bone”, great song, great video and also has the priceless line
“I have an underlying demon that you don’t want to meet”
This is my hot tip for lyric of the year, if no such award exists, then they should bloody well make one!
Want to dump someone? Here is the fool proof guide according to WSTR, “Promiscuous” sees all sorts of shenanigans of the heart, quite educational really, keep a pen and paper handy.
Triggering feelings of an angry mob in reverse; there are no pitchforks or flame torches here, just loveable, huggable, home for teatime tunes. Stick the kettle on me lovelies and crack open the chocolate digestives!
“The Latest” snorts and spits at you with “Blah, blah, blah. therapy’s wasted on me” a nod and a wink to the Godfather of Punk himself, Iggy Pop, (has he had a Lifetime Achievement Award yet?)
“Silly Me” is the let’s skip hand in hand through the meadow song; these songs remind me of a kind of heavier version of Size Of A Cow by The Wonderstuff, this is the record you promised yourself you wouldn’t enjoy, but its put the kibosh on that.
“Fling” makes heartache more attractive: with this playing in your head you will beg for someone to break up with you! Sounds daft, but there you go.
The boys demand that we “Hide Everything Sharp”, okay, but how did you find out that I was visiting? The standout track for me, lovely melody, lyrics and brilliant title.
A wonderfully written and arranged album, entertaining, witty and funny. There are serious messages here, but the delivery is much lighter, much easier on the ears.
“See You in Hell” invites us on a “twisted holiday”, which of course would be nothing like “summer holiday”, it may actually end up being more enjoyable!
Another chance to get trashed here with “Ashtray” a sort of metaphorical dumping – quite a novel idea.
Closing with “Riddle Me This” we feed our inner demon, and the fantastic line
“Beneath this wrist is a pulse that needs to slow down”
You want to keep jiggling about for hours afterwards, ideal party music. Is it too early to mention Christmas?
WSTR could do a blinding cover of Walkie Talkie Man by Steriogram.
Eleven tunes to blast away the cobwebs and the clouds and combat the frowsty air of desolation that is resident in our lives. Who needs a jet wash, eh? Let it consume you, let it lead you on the merriest of dances, of second chances and hopeless romances.
Now, where’s that Ouija board?
Azra Pathan
WSTR – Identity Crisis out now on Hopeless Records