Wig Wam: Non Stop Rock & Roll

Readers of this review beware; it comes with a big caveat. That is: if you are a die-hard fan of modern glam-rock then reading the following will probably be a huge waste of your time.

I've always firmly believed that a music reviewer ought to banish all preconceptions about the artist, ethics, lyrical themes, and especially the genre, when reviewing an album. The only relevant thing is the music, in the now. Everything else is vain distraction, and clouds analysis with waffling context. After all, quality has no genre, and irrespective of type, every individual work must be judged solely on its own merits. Unfortunately, the truth is; I've never come across any glam-rock made after around 1975 that I've actually enjoyed. Either there is something I don't like about glam, or all glam bands are just rubbish.

Non Stop Rock and Roll, then, is the third full-length release from Wig Wam, and you can't fault their enthusiasm. They launch into the album with the improbably upbeat "Do Ya Wanna Taste It". This opener sets the tone for the rest of the album, and it shares the weaknesses of many of is stable mates. While undeniably catchy, it lacks either the melodic poise required for well-crafted pop rock, or the charm necessary for truly goofy infectiousness.

The rest of the album features variations on the theme of enthusiastic, high energy rock, completely with earnest delivery and slick production in the mould of Def Leppard or Bon Jovi. Some pieces are harder edged ("C'mon Everybody"), other are closer to ballads ("Man in the Moon"), but none really throw any surprises. There are stronger moments in there – "Walls Come Down" is drivingly anthemic, and the title track is a genuine fun hard-rocker. But there are also weaker ones, "Wild One" feels a little tame, and "From Here" is a desperately cloying ballad that could draw a cringe from 300 paces. Truth be told, however, not many of the songs are genuinely bad (impenetrable or plain daft lyrics notwithstanding), they're just a bit disposable and unremarkable. Wig Wam prove here beyond a doubt that they can write a very catchy chorus, unfortunately it may well be that it enters your head more like an annoying virus and less like the music of the heavens.

There are probably hoards of people for whom Non Stop Rock and Roll is a godsend, a disc (or download) of perfect party bliss; ebullient and infectiously pleasing. I'm not going to lie to you though; I'm simply not one of them.

Track Listing
1. Do Ya Wanna Taste It?
2. Walls Come Down
3. Wild One
4. C'mon Everybody
5. Man in the Moon
6. Still I'm Burning
7. All You Wanted
8. Non Stop Rock and Roll
9. From Here
10. Rocket Through My Heart
11. Chasing Rainbows
11. Gotta Get It On

Added: September 28th 2010
Reviewer: Richard Wheelhouse
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1888
Language: english

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