Wake up to a brave new world of self-realisation and discovery in 2022, courtesy of the second full-length album from this Italian crew. You want some fun? This is some fun.
The glammed-up, loved-up, spaced-out guys ask: “Why can’t everyone just be who they want to be and love who they want to love? We have created a place where we can make this happen.” Visit that place in the opening feelgood track, Tropicalia Woodie Resort. It’s more than a musical concept, they say – a manifesto for a new cultural moment, a retro-inspired movement with no gender, no race, no labels or inhibitions. “There’s a DJ playing for you, now tell me what you want to do?” You get the picture.
Album highlights include Roverbot – swirly synths, dreamy Psychedelia and insouciance, like Marc Bolan meets Pet Shop Boys. Lovers is all buzzy guitars and pop posturing, a la Ty Segall. Recent single Starship burbles along nicely and memorably on its way to another dimension, and then there’s the swoony 1989, a paean to love itself, and the happy-clappy stomp of U Know U Want It.
Deezworld simpers like Donovan before telling us: “All this shit doesn’t matter, you’re not alone in this world.” Tin Woodman are reaching out to the minorities, championing diversity and sending a message which could perhaps be paraphrased as: “Whatever you get up to in 2022, don’t forget to be yourself.” Or, as Van Halen would have it: “Gimme truth, gimme somethin’ real/ I just wanna feel/ Like it’s mine, all mine … Be your own best friend/ Stand up and say: Hey! This is mine!” Which is not to say Tin Woodman sound like VH, the philosophy just reminded me of that particular anthem (Lovers does have a nice Metal-y riff and grind to it, and something of a crazy solo).
A sax, trumpet and trombone trio add crucial tones and touches to Lovers and the Beatles-y Gooshie Dwight. Throughout this whole time-travelling, poppy, catchy Euro-bash, a kaleidoscope of many, many influences, the tantalising mix of voices, drums, bass, guitars and synths, with various other keyboards, machines and sound effects, expertly melds into a rich, passionate and seductive soundscape that should put a smile on your face for at least some of the time.
Tin Woodman are Davide Chiari (aka Dave The Wave), Simone Ferrari (Simon Diamond) and the eponymous Woodman, who is some kind of Oz-some robot. Or a spaceship, or something. I dunno.
Songs For Eternal Lovers, by Tin Woodman, is out on January 21 on Retro Vox Records