Friday 6 April 2012

LINK: Wally Review





Wally - Montpellier (Gonzo Multimedia) ****1/2

Wally was a great British rock band from the 1970s. They've released two excellent albums, self-titled "Wally" in 1974, and "Valley Gardens" in 1975. Then the band split up, and the Atlantic Records gave up on the band. Wally remains one of those great bands whose potential never really fulfilled, but their music continues to electrify.

Thirty years later, Wally returns. "Montpellier" is a combination of reworked demos from what would've been Wally's third album, and newer tracks the band worked on. The album is also a tribute to guitarist, Pete Cosker, and keyboard player, Paul Gerrett, who are no longer with us.

Upon the first listen to "Montpellier," one feels the absolute deepness and passion so evident on the previous albums. The album is a natural continuation of what Wally began many decades ago. Even the augmented line up, does a great job, and makes the two departed musician proud of their legacy. The songs dwell between rock and progressive. Wally always had a great way of combining both styles, and making it their own. Plenty of great songs here, and this really feel like a record. And that's exactly what Wally was in the 70s. They were a record band, and that's a sign of the great musicianship. Hits never killed anyone (or did they?) but Wally just serves a whole package of great music, and that's what they do best.

"Montpellier" is a great record, aimed at pure music fans who don't like to see their bands compromise. This writer's hat is off to Wally for being able to pull it off 30 years down the line. This has a heart and soul, and it runs fast!

Mark Kadzielawa

No comments:

Post a Comment

...BECAUSE SOME OF US THINK THAT THIS STUFF IS IMPORTANT
What happens when you mix what is - arguably - the world's most interesting record company, with an anarchist manic-depressive rock music historian polymath, and a method of dissemination which means that a daily rock-music magazine can be almost instantaneous?

Most of this blog is related in some way to the music, books and films produced by Gonzo Multimedia, but the editor has a grasshopper mind and so also writes about all sorts of cultural issues which interest him, and which he hopes will interest you as well.