Release
date: January 12th 2015. Label: Konkurrent. Formats: CD/DD
The
Whole Shebang: Tracklisting
1
Kerosine Dreams 4:03
2
Woodlands 4:17
3
The Whole Shebang 3:35
4
Five Ft. High 3:14
5
Rituals 4:56
6
In This Moment 2:52
7
River Run 2:41
8
Promised the Night 4:23
9
Rotor Motor 4:03
10
All Around 2:51
11
Voodoo You Do 4:39
Band
Members:
Simone
Holsbeek
Alwin
Wubben
Jerome
Miedendorp de Bie
Marcel
Zerb
Rene
Rutten
Review:
Psych
Stoner Rockers – Drive By Wire – may not offer the most original
sounds on their new album – The Whole Shebang– but it’s still
an exciting listen from start to finish. The hazy vocals of Simone
and the fast-paced fuzz-laiden Desert/Stoner Rock grooves have an
addictive quality to them.
Opening
track – Kerosine Dreams – is a bluesy number with the band
creating an intriguing sound that encompasses Hard Rock, Blues,
Desert, Psych and Stoner that will no doubt appeal to fans of Kyuss
and Fu Manchu. The instrumental work is where Drive By Wire excels at
with the band creating an almost angry sound especially with Simone’s
heartfelt vocals. Though I know most people will be here for the
riffs and this song is full of them.
Second
track – Woodlands – sees the band offering an angrier vision. You
can hear shades of The Cult classic – She Sells Sanctuary here for
the first minute or so. It’s an interesting sound that Drive By
Wire deserves credit for as it’s an intriguing mixture of Stoner
Rock vibes mixed with a hard-rock angle. Woodlands can be very trippy
at times especially with Simone’s vocals as Simone adds an aura of
mystery around her vocals.
Third
track – The Whole Shebang – now sees the band inject some much
needed 70s Classic Hard Rock sounds into the mix. It’s one of the
albums more exciting and perhaps original songs the band has written
here. This is the song that perfectly sums up Drive By Wire. It’s a
bluesy-psychedelic-desert-stoner-rock packed number with the band
having fun with their music.
Fourth
track – Five ft High – is another soulful blues-laiden entry with
Simone’s vocals being the main attraction. Sure the music is good
as always but it’s the vocals that keep you interested. As it’s a
winning combination of bluesy pitch perfect vocals and a storming
desert/stoner rock party-like atmosphere.
It’s
going to be hard to offer a track-by-track review as The Whole
Shebang has 11 tracks for you to listen to. Drive By Wire have
written some fantastic songs here. Especially on the QOTSA inspired –
Rituals – which is another fantastic track when the band ventures
into heavier psychedelic waters.
Later
tracks such as River Run, Rotor Motor and Voodoo You Do sees the band
offer heavier riffs where the potent mix of Blues, Psych, Stoner and
Hard Rock are never too far way. The production is one of the albums
strengths as it sounds superb through-out. You can feel every rhythm
and note being played and the vocals make you feel you’re in the
front row seeing Drive By Wire in action.
Drive
By Wire should be proud of this album as The Whole Shebang has a lot
to offer to both the more casual and serious Stoner Rock fan. It’s
an exciting and superb well rounded album. Check it out. Highly
Recommended.
Thanks
to Drive By Wire for the promo.
Words
by Steve Howe
Links:
