Customer Reviews

Wild Like Children

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley and Of Montreal had a head-on collision, the result might be something like Tilly and the Wall. Their oddball debut, "Wild Like Children," is best described as bright, childlike pop-rock set to dark, slightly cynical songwriting. In other words, enjoyably weird.

It opens with a charming mix of acoustic guitar, keyboards and... tap dancing? It sounds like applauding hands, but the poppy "Fell Down the Stairs" has tap dancing here and there. It adds to the cheery feel of the music. Things get grittier in songs like "Nights of the Living Dead," a groaning rock-song with calls of "I wanna f*ck it up! I wanna f*ck it up!" at the end.

After that comes "Bessa," which is pretty much straightforward folk music -- it sounds just a wee bit too catchy to be coffeehouse material. But the folky-poppy sound continues in most of the other songs, from the percussion-led "You And I Misbehaving" to the piano-pop "I Always Knew." The finale is a fifteen-minute opus that could have easily been chopped in half -- part is tap-dancey pop, and part is a plaintive ballad.

The first few songs of this album are a bit uneven -- it sounds like Tilly and the Wall are getting their act together. But when Derek Pressnal ominously intones, "Don't let the daytime get you down/'Cause we will be wild like children/once the black has veiled the sky," you know that they have hit their strange little stride.

The music seems like the best mix of gritty indierock and twee pop -- the tap-dancing, piano and acoustic guitar are reminiscent of catchy, whimsical folk-pop bands. And the vocals back that up -- Kianna Alarid, Derek Pressnal and Neely Jenkins harmonize their voices almost flawlessly. It feels like you're sitting in a park at night, listening to a raw little band performing.

The twee edge of the music isn't really reflected in the lyrics, however. They're anything but twee, despite their nonsensical nature -- after the grimy tone of "Night of the Living Dead," the songs settle into a downbeat groove of dancing, "daydream lies," and determination to cling to love. The finale has perhaps the best writing of all: "Well I swear you came in the form of rain/that had frozen somewhere along its way/through the evening sky/so the trees got tired and laid on the ground...."

There are some kinks to be worked out of Tilly and the Wall's music, but this strange little band overflows with musical promise. And if "Wild Like Children" is any indication, they'll start off shaky but blossom.

this is darling music that conjures hazy memories of the first cute girl you followed home from school, awkwardly taking the hand of your partner during the couples skate, high school love, staying up late with friends, and the like. Those memories are complicated and sometimes uncomfortable; we often wish we did or said something differently. Cest la vie, we lived and learned, and so did the writer(s) of these songs(not sure who they are). It's therefore easy to identify with them.

Shake it out is such a great song. "Daaance, put your body in motion. I don't want it to eeeend. I dont wanna climb those stairs and go to bed." That's elementary and universal.

I saw these guys open for Of Montreal in Des Moines recently. I had a great time and so did the remaining capacity of the venue. I'm glad they didn't have a pyrotechnics show or Great White involved. It could have proven to be catastrophic. Although I couldn't think of a grander demise than being engulfed in flames to the sweet soundz of T&tW.

After seeing Tilly and the Wall on tour with Bright Eyes this past year, I was blown away. The female voices blend together so well, and the male voice fits in perfectly. But what blew me away the most was the tap dancing! It's amazing that a band can use tap dancing as a replacement for a drum set. They put on a marvelous show as well. The whole set was just amazing. Everytime I listen to this CD, it makes me feel so much happier than I was originally. This CD is definately worth 5 stars.

Yeah, they sound like a bunch of foul-mouthed kids around a campfire, but playing this helps me a lot more than any SSRI ever has. Um, can I play with you guys?

FYI, the album is downloadable from the label's web site.

does anyone write songs like this anymore?? I think not. Like
Dr. Seuss being beamed directly into your head. The way
indie rock used to be: unpretentious and fun.

I was wondering a local record store - one of the last not part of a mega corporation - and there was a handwritten index card with "Staff Recommendation" written at the top hanging over this CD. The last line read, "If that isn't enough, the percussion section contains a tap dancer." I took the hook.

Much to my surprise, this CD was ALL the other things on the card. Some great lyrics, interesting vocals, great pop feeling, and of course, the tap dancing rythm section on some cuts. (This is not an obtrusive gimmick, it fits the spirit.)It's one of those CDs that just lifts you up into the music. By the time hidden bonus track 11 finishes, I feel like I've been to a party. Makes me a wild child myself.

This is such an energetic, beautiful, FUN album. It feels like the sound of friendship and summer.

This album grew on me song by song but now I wouldn't skip anything while I'm listening to it.

I listened to this recording four times before reading that much of the percussion is from tap dancing. Felt the need to mention that this "gimmick" doesn't subtract from the tunes at all. Definitely for fans of New Pornographers... a winner from start to finish.

Well, I can't stand the New Pornographers and their too-happy retro genericness, and I hate any band that has a white-belt, 80s pink and green fashion statement asthetic that makes them look like trendy 16 year old cheerleaders from San Diego who think that, oh my god, Ashton Kutcher's "vintage thrift store" look is just like the hottest thing this season!
But, having said that, this is a really good record. I unfortunately flipped through some glossy fashion ad-posing-as-an indie rock magazine once and saw a picture of this band, and I sure wish I hadn't. The tap-dancing: rad. The shouting-as-harmony: I love it when Mic and Keith do it, and I love it when Tilly and the Wall do it. The basement recording quality: rad. The songs: rad. The lyrics about being in your 20s yet still acting like a drunk maniac teenager at times: rad.
This is positively one of my favorite records of 2004. Don't pay attention to what they dress like, or who runs their label, just buy the record and enjoy it. It is joyous and young at heart.

I love this CD. Very upbeat and fun. I find myself singing the songs in my head all the time and I'm not getting tired of listening to it. Tapping as drumming sounds like a gimmick but it works and sounds great.