Customer Reviews

Left for Dead

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 2005, Wussy released a very impressive debut album "Funeral Dress", and after steady touring behind that album, the band then took its time to release a second album. Now comes the eagerly awaited new album.

On "Left for Dead" (12 tracks, 41 min.), the band steers slightly away from the sound on the debut album (or more correctly put, the band evolves), to bring a more open-ended, even more playful and upbeat sound. Most of the songs are fronted by Lisa Walker, although Chuck Cleaver also gets a a number of tunes, including the great opener "Trail of Sadness". "Mayflies", "Killer Trees" and "Rigor Mortis" are among the Walker-fronted songs that stand out for me. The latter part of the album does not let up, with a couple of standouts like "Melody Ranch" and the close "Vivian Girls".

At 41 min., "Left for Dead" clips by in no time and you find yourself playing it again. I would be remiss not to point out that Wussy hails from Cincinnati, and I've had an opportunity to see the band a number of times at local shows. They are simply excellent, and I highly recommed "Left for Dead". The album was actually released last Fall but is only now becoming more widely available, including here on Amazon. Last but not least, I have to give a shoutout to the fact that Wussy is part of a very vibrant indie-music scene in Cincinnati, with a crop of excellent bands besides Wussy, including Buffalo Killers, Bad Veins, Pomegrenates, johnnytwentythree, Dietaudio, and on and on. You can hear many of these bands on internet-only station WOXY, by far the best source for indie-music anywhere in the US.

Wussy is one of the best things going in rock/pop music right now, beautiful arrangements and melodymixed with great lyrics. An musical alchemy of sounds yielding aural bliss.

Surely a throwback album. The male singer sounds like Neil Young, and as soulful. Minimal production and no keyboards that I can hear. I love Chuck Cleaver's songwriting, but this is an album were Lisa Walker shines. Her songs are moving, rough and I'd imagine--if they ever toured outside their home state--they might sound like this live. A flawless rock record.

Hard to believe that after 15 months there are only two reviews of this excellent record. I'll do my part to remedy that. If you like smart passionate independent rock (Arcade Fire, TV on Radio) bands with fascinating female/male vocal mixes and perspectives (Sonic Youth, Mekons, x), memorable often haunting songs (Zuma, Big Star Third, Velvet Underground, you're sure to like these guys and should buy both their CDs. I enjoyed them both on first listen and am still listening a year and two years later. Another reviewer says they are great live. Maybe they should come to AZ and give us a chance to find out.