Album Review

Patrick Wolf – The Bachelor

• 31st May 2009

Opener and forthcoming single “Hard Times” sets a high standard for Patrick Wolf’s fourth LP in six years, while briefing the casual listener nicely on what to expect from the genre-straddling multi-instrumentalist: beneath the eletronic bells and whistles and the swirling strings, pleasant as they are, its an anthemic, driving bit of guitar rock the likes of the Killers would be happy to have in their arsenal. Wolf knows how to have his cake and eat it: experimenting without compromise all the way yet always finding a sizeable chorus.

Wolf is a welcome aberration in musical waters stagnant with mediocre guitar music. Eschewing the layers of protective irony certain indie bands cake on like cheap slap in lieu of actually having anything to say, he goes out to create music brazenly artsy and ambitious, vocally histrionic as a first-year drama student and likewise flirting unafraid with the pretentious at every turn: look no further than the best employment of children backing singers since the ‘Floyd (“Damaris”); Tilda Swinton’s chilling spoken-word turns as the “Voice of Hope” on no fewer than three tracks; the lush strings of the ethereal and folky “Thickets”. It all somehow works because its backed up by the artist’s considerable songsmithery.

Current single and Alec Empire collaboration “Vulture” is an unexpected treat about two-thirds into the album. For a few minutes, Wolf shuts out the concentrated artistry that precedes and follows, to belt out a dance-punk thumper that feels like a hit before it even reaches the chorus. Searingly tender piano ballad “Blackdown” quickly shifts the tone back down; Its testament to the integrity of the album that the quieter moments are as memorable and vital as the out-and-out singalong numbers. Wolf’s latest effort tops an already-impressive back catalogue and should further extend a growing fanbase.