Seldom does a pop band come along so shamelessly simple and fun, that even the most cynical of critics cannot help but kneel over in its wake. Welcome then, to the world of The Wombats and its charming debut LP, “A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation.”
While staying clear of the detrimental qualities of manufactured pop, The Wombats’ trio boasts a genuinely accessible sound while keeping its album fresh and modern. There are no worn-out stories of drunken romances, lyrics to cringe over or generic up-beat melodies. Instead, enjoy fluffy tales of youthful innocence and discovery, delivered via a power-pop punch of sing-a-long choruses and jittery guitar tunes.
For a band still in its infancy, The Wombats have an impressive catalogue of material. So much so that more than 30 songs had to be worked through in order to decide what made the final cut.
Album opener “Girls, Boys and Marsupials” is an adorable cappella barbershop tune that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It is also a warning to anyone hoping for some heavy and gloomy rock ‘n’ roll because it won’t be found here.
“Kill the Director,” one of the many album highlights, represents everything good about the Liverpool-based trio. The song is a homage to the idealistic world of British romantic comedies in which lead singer Matthew Murphy compares his own romance to those off the big screen when he sings “This is no Bridget Jones…” It’s a euphoric three-minute call-to-arms – an untamed pop riot that will wear indie/alternative dance floors thin.
“Little Miss Pipedream” is a tale of a twisted love fantasy: “I don’t mind if she gets hammered and goes home with other guys/because she’s my little pipedream fantasy.” Packing a jaunty yet somber seaside melody complete with some heart-warming “ooh” and “aah” backing vocals, the song plays in stark contrast to the dance romps of “Lets Dance to Joy Division” and “Backfire at the Disco.” But even with the dark theme of a tormented psyche, “Little Miss Pipedream” is light and fun.
“School Uniform” is a wonderfully endearing tale of a school bus romance: “You were nine and I was ten…you had a Walkman, all I had was a middle part and a pen.” With its spiky guitar hooks, snappy pace and harmless lyrics, the song epitomizes fun pop.
The Wombats prove that pop can be as credible as and a whole lot more exciting than the latest brooding, leather-clad Joy Division descendant. Though the band is not groundbreaking, The Wombats work to entertain – not to break down barriers.
“A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation” is radio-friendly brilliance that you won’t feel guilty listening to. That is, if you’re not a heavy metal rocker, in which case it’ll probably make you hurl.