The US goth-rock
band The Wake, founded in 1986 in Columbus, Ohio as part of the so
called “second wave” of goth in the early '90s, released the new album "Perfumes
and Fripperies" on October 30th, 2020 by Blaylox Records. Almost 25
years since their last full-length album "Nine Ways" in 1996. The
masters of American Gothic Rock have returned, and they have brought everything
back: the bold voice, walls of dark guitars, pounding drums, huge bass lines
and their unique songwriting skill.
The album begins
with the slow burning "Daisy", showing that the band have returned
with their classic signature sound. Then, with "Hammer Hall" that
follows, we bare witness to an epic track, with their monolithic wall of sound
of guitars. While on "Marry Me" we have a great gothic rock tune with
some really nice melodic guitar lines. On "Break Me Not", another favorite,
the guitars get more chaotic, as on the title track "Perfumes and Fripperies"
where the guitars step a bit back revealing the rhythm section.
Hallway through
we have "Rusted 20" continuing the album’s great flow of songs topped
with singer’s Troy Payne bold voice. On "Everything (feat. Wolfie)" the
band collaborated with David Wolfenden of Red Lorry Yellow Lorry who played
second guitar. Here Troy’s voice gets more atmospheric bringing even more gloom
to the mix. We have a change in sound on "Emily Closer (MH direct-drive
mix)" where the phased bass comes to the foreground and is enhanced with
some synths. As on "Big Empty" where the thumping drumming is backed
with guitars full of reverb and distortion. The album closes with the slower
tune "Figurine" that’s has a darker, painstaking mood to it.
By listening to
the whole album, you are left only with the exciting taste that The Wake have released
yet another goth classic. Recorded over many months in different locations and
various circumstances in the band’s native Ohio, the album comes together to
speak with one voice. The album cones as a limited-edition Compact Disc in a gatefold
with 4-page lyric sheet and liner notes. Includes also an additional track, "Rusted
(Hz Healer Mix feat. Caroline Blind)".
Review by
Nick Drivas
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