Album Review

Wye Oak – Civilian

• 7th Mar 2011

I can’t stop listening to this album. When its robust-yet-poignant vocals, tinkly keyboards and crashy guitars come to an end, I’m like a small child, saying “again, again” as I reach for the play button.

In “Civilian” this duo from Baltimore has hit upon a harmonious blend of raw emotion and polished production – it’s the rock and the gem all at once. They perhaps have Jenn Wasner’s voice to thank for its appeal. Deep and strong but with a tinge of fragile vulnerability, it’s addictively captivating, and gives the songs a seductive substance that in some songs might otherwise be lacking.

Because perhaps this album’s only weakness is that, while providing a nice counter to the vocals, Andy Stack’s occasional breakaway guitars aren’t terribly original in themselves. It’s a wee bit of a nostalgia trip for me, this album – “Dog’s eyes”, for example, with its time changes and bouts of wailing guitars, is reminiscent of bands like The Breeders a couple of decades ago.

Tracks that work best on this album are those where the vocals and arrangements meld together rather than clang against each other. Then we get layer upon melodic layer of big fat sound, held back adeptly from the brink of melodrama and underscored by a lively, accomplished rhythm on drums.

The single, “Civilian” is a highlight, with its country-style stringy guitar, simple beat and humming bass building up to crescendos of organ, drums and cymbals. Combined with Wasner’s gritty, heart-catching voice, it has a kind of sleek overwroughtness that the big guitars embellish rather than detract from.

At its best, this album achieves a “Rumours”-like balance of nicely crafted rock and emotional turbulence.

Wye Oak’s songwriting is simple, challenging the boundaries occasionally but never quite breaking them. It might not be overly challenging or provocative, but it’s accomplished, honest and effective, and they’ve created enough variety and intrigue here to keep this album rollicking along. It’s an absolute pleasure to listen to – again and again and again.