In 1943, Woody Guthrie famously wrote, “This machine kills fascists” on the back of his battered acoustic guitar, and in doing so, started a debate that is still mused over today. And it goes like this. As we find ourselves in a time of encroaching authoritarianism, increasing, seemingly, by the day, can musicians hope to make a difference through their music?
It is a theme that Wonderlick explores on their latest album, suitably entitled Wonderlick Goes To War, which they do by examining the high points of human accomplishment and our species’ lowest ebbs, and also connecting the dots between individual frustrations and mankind’s collective horrors that result from these actions and experiences.
Jay Blumenfield and Tim Quirk are the masterminds behind the musical moniker, names the discerning listener will be familiar with as members of sophisticated, pop-punk pioneers Too Much Joy. As a taster of the album to come, they have dropped “Rhinoceros.”
Although it seems to run on a medium-paced and lilting groove, there is no shortage of vibrancy; a shimmering pop sheen coats more resonant rock and roll riffs, and there is something wonderfully left-field about the song. It might not sound like B-52s, Wall of Voodoo, or They Might Be Giants, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they all have each other on speed dial, such is the shared sonic spirit, the same alternative and experimental take on pop potential.
A strange beast indeed, but I mean that in the very best of ways, and after all, who needs pop music to stay in existing comfort zones when it can stride the world being bright and clever and weird and wonderful? Not I!
