Wake Up Electrified set out to deliver a great blend of folk and indie pop from Haverstraw, NY. The group started as a power-trio in 2008, but eventually expanded its line-up in 2012, in occasion of the studio sessions for the album John Edwards. The 10 tracks featured on this album are the portrait of a band with a lot of vintage influences, grabbing inspiration from the classics of country, folk and rock, but also owing much to contemporary bands like Wilco, Drag The River or artists like the late Elvis Costello, showcasing a great pop sensibility, but also a fondness for organic, minimalistic recordings. The opener “Call My Name” strikes with an almost Donovan-esque vibe, with is timeless charm and great female backing vocals to add more texture. "Lion's Mouth" brings a slightly darker vibe to the record, with its more introspective lyrics and feel. The cheerfulness comes promptly back with follow-up "Solo in A Trooper Suit,” a track with strong ties with the rock and roll sound of the ‘50s. Wake up Electrified is a versatile ensemble of musicians, but perhaps, their comfort zone is somewhere in between the classic folk song and the rock ballad format. A great example of this is the middle section of this album, featuring "Singing Sad Songs,” "You Hate California" and "Watching You Wander Away.” The flow gets back on an upbeat twist with "If You Come to Me" and "Archimede's Screw", a danceable track with a lot of energy. The next-to-last number “Helen” is one of the darkest and more melancholic tracks on the record, but the vocal harmonies on the closer “Going To The Valley” are the strongest on the whole record, giving a brighter end to a solid record. While not all the songs on this album are memorable and you get the feeling you have heard a lot of them before they are still an enjoyable collection of songs. Wake Up Electrified’s formula is simple, yet effective, showcasing a band that could definitely be even more entertaining to see live!
1 Comment
Kathleen Green
6/11/2013 11:53:08 am
I enjoyed your review of Wake Up Electrified's album, John Edwards. Seeing Wake Up Electrified in person IS super entertaining! They are all likeable, very talented, awesome guys.
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