Despite numerous personnel and label changes over the years, Australian retro rockers Wolfmother continue to soldier on. Vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Andrew Stockdale remains the familiar focal point, and for their fourth album, titled Victorious, he's performed all the guitars, bass, and vocals, with bassist Ian Peres laying down keyboards (some splendid organ I might add) and a few guest drummers helping out in the studio. Though that might not sound much of a solidified band, if you haven't guessed by now, it's the Stockdale show all the way, and Victorious still sounds like what we've come to expect from Wolfmother.
If you love the riff heavy '70s styled hard rock thumpers that this band have cranked out in the past, look no further than "The Love That You Give", "Baroness", "The Simple Life", and the catchy romp that is the first single & title track "Victorious". There's a bit of melodic pop on "Pretty Peggy" and "Best of a Bad Situation", while "City Lights" veers off almost into punk territory with its snappy riffs and frantic vibe. Crunchy stoner riffs & Hammond organ rage on "Gypsy Caravan", one of the albums heaviest hitters and a must for all Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and Blue Cheer fans, and those beefy riffs dripping with fuzz again come out on the hard rocking "Happy Face". The album closed with the massive brontosaurus riffing of "Eye of the Beholder", another heavy hitter on an album with lots of thunder but also plenty of variety.
Whether you like these guys or not, there's no denying the appeal of most of the songs on this album. Victorious is a lot of fun, and contains a little something for every rock fan out there.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) The Love That You Give
2) Victorious
3) Baroness
4) Pretty Peggy
5) City Lights
6) The Simple Life
7) Best of a Bad Situation
8) Gypsy Caravan
9) Happy Face
10) Eye of the Beholder
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