| CD REVIEW Want Want |
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Band : Want Want This band (who call Zwolle, North of Holland their hometown) is very clear about the fact that the wackos from Weezer are their foremost important source of inspiration. Frontman Fokko Mellema (formerly of Punk Pop Rockers Jeremy’s) is quite honest about admitting that in his youth he only had albums by that band and Fountains Of Wayne, influences which he uses in his Want Want songs. Want Want was already active before Jeremy’s, where Mellema’s role was one of a backing singer, guitarist and additional songwriter, but in WW he was to take on the role of frontman, also needing to write the lyrics. Because he doesn’t feel quite easy with the English language (not being sure whether his Engliish lyrics touched the core of what he meant to convey), he resolved to make WW a Dutch version of his old musical heroes, and with catchy effect, too! Somehow an early demo came into the hands of the manager of Skik, whom passed it onto their frontman Daniel Lahue. Lahue was immediately interested and took cantact with the band to produce their debut album. It so happen that, besides his Weezer & Fountains Of Wayne, Mellema also possessed an album by Silk…so perhaps you can imagine how Mellema was overwhelmed with the interest Lahue showed? Meanwhile, the band’s been picked up by Dutch radio stations, and first single Heleen, a video for which was recorded in Groningen’s Eurosonic/ Noorderslag event early 2010, has become somewhat of a cult hit. Funny, because it’s the calmest song in the lot! Anyhoo…if Dutch is you nnative language, you’ll most certainly be affacted by this band’s music ànd lyrics. Just like Weezer, the lyrics take an humoristic side to events which Fokko has apparently gone through at one moment or another. Musically, the band brings a nicely varied Indie Rock…sometimes very simple in build, then containing nice underlaying complexicities, and occasionally taking additional influences (check Ska for “Chirurg Plastique”, where the band gets a slight Doe Maar flavoring, but not without raging out as well). I’ve gone nuts trying to find a good spot on the Internet for you, reader, to check out some music by this juvenile quartet (I’ve no idea whom the other members are, nor what their respective roles in the band are – though there’s certain to be a bassist, a drummer, and a keyboardist whom might occasionally also handle 2nd guitar) and resolved to direct you to wantwant.nl, where you’ll not only be able to listen to a couple of songs (click on “luisteren”), but can also view a few songs in the video section (click on “kijken”). Great fun, great fun! 90/100 Tony. |
