Originally printed in Now Then Magazine issue 73
OLIVER WILDE27 MARCH
BUNGALOWS & BEARS
Something Anorak are a quirky two-piece with a lot of talent. Using a guitar and drum to produce vocally harmonised, lullaby rock, they treated us to a well rehearsed and enjoyable set. An unlisted duo also supported with epic female vocals with a 60s pop music melody. A lot of fun.
Bristol-based soundscape rocker Oliver Wilde was in Sheffield to support the release of his new album, Red Tide Opal in the Loose End Womb. Although his music carries his own name, this time around he has recorded with a band. The five-piece group began with a brief sound check before opening with a clever mix of sampled and effected voices. Within a few moments, a drum cracked into a beat and the guitars all began playing in time.
The lift from what began as interesting noise and impressive use of pedals and looping gadgets into a full wall of sound was inspirational. I felt like a wave had hit me and in its flow I had been swept to the crest like a sitting duck.
The band brought something extra which those who have seen Oliver perform by himself would fully appreciate. Apart from the usual members of a rock band, the keyboard player also held a violin. She used it in most tracks, lending a folky yet spacey sound as its notes were infused with an effects combination which appeared to be altered periodically.
This group know their sound and they sound great. The little fills and intriguing rhythms bring what is a decent song into a sonic experience. Every song has a clever edge that sticks out from the rest and when introducing older material, quality remained but musical progression was apparent. A dynamic artist is a long lived one and Oliver Wilde is growing. After a stint in hospital from a serious illness, he is once more reaching out.
Rowan Blair Colver
OLIVER WILDE27 MARCH
BUNGALOWS & BEARS
Something Anorak are a quirky two-piece with a lot of talent. Using a guitar and drum to produce vocally harmonised, lullaby rock, they treated us to a well rehearsed and enjoyable set. An unlisted duo also supported with epic female vocals with a 60s pop music melody. A lot of fun.
Bristol-based soundscape rocker Oliver Wilde was in Sheffield to support the release of his new album, Red Tide Opal in the Loose End Womb. Although his music carries his own name, this time around he has recorded with a band. The five-piece group began with a brief sound check before opening with a clever mix of sampled and effected voices. Within a few moments, a drum cracked into a beat and the guitars all began playing in time.
The lift from what began as interesting noise and impressive use of pedals and looping gadgets into a full wall of sound was inspirational. I felt like a wave had hit me and in its flow I had been swept to the crest like a sitting duck.
The band brought something extra which those who have seen Oliver perform by himself would fully appreciate. Apart from the usual members of a rock band, the keyboard player also held a violin. She used it in most tracks, lending a folky yet spacey sound as its notes were infused with an effects combination which appeared to be altered periodically.
This group know their sound and they sound great. The little fills and intriguing rhythms bring what is a decent song into a sonic experience. Every song has a clever edge that sticks out from the rest and when introducing older material, quality remained but musical progression was apparent. A dynamic artist is a long lived one and Oliver Wilde is growing. After a stint in hospital from a serious illness, he is once more reaching out.
Rowan Blair Colver
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