Small Wonder
Wendy
I'm not sure why artists or bands sometimes get their panties wedged up their crack when a writer/blogger/critic compares their music to another artist's. Sure, it's lazy... but most of the time it's the most accurate description I can provide.
And I'll speak for myself when I say that i'm not really 'comparing' the music; I'm moreso 'referencing' traits to give the one or two readers who read my shit an idea of what to expect.
Is that an excuse to be lazy? YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT IT IS.
But let's face it; readers of Shut Your fucking Face and Listen aren't reading our reviews for our eloquent metaphors and poetic descriptions. It's just fucking music. Readers just want to know: will I like this band or not? And maybe laugh at one or ten of our boner jokes.
Boners are funny.
So why does Small Wonder give me a boner?
Because they kinda sound like Eels, Modest Mouse, Death Cab, Beck and/or Neutral Milk Hotel without the accordian or nasalyness.
There you have it. That's a one fucking lazy review. Nazalyness isn't even a fucking word. BUT it's the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I'm preparing to get my Turkey on.
Seriously though, Wendy is one of the albums you don't realize that is incredible until it ends. You are left wondering: why did the music stop and why don't I feel quite as good as I did 5 minutes ago.
So when your family inevitably starts talking about Ferguson tomorrow at the dinner table, politely excuse yourself, pop on this album and whisper to yourself 'serenity now, serenity now'. That calmness you will be seeking will be sought. I promise.
Listen to this shit. Because Del says so.
*Tom's note: To my surprise Joel also likes this album too and wants to show up my laziness with some fucking word art. Fuck him and his contribution.
Joel says:
When Del sends me something using two or three types of communication devices, I know he wants me to verify that his loving something is rooted in reality. I shit you not, dude texted me, gchatted me and then emailed me all about the same album.
Del was correct in his immediate obsessions.
Small Wonder sounds miserably broken, like the world couldn't get heavier, but by accepting it he's almost stronger while being crushed. Does that make sense? When I reread that sentence it sounds like something I wouldn't want to listen to, but I assure you, this shit is fucking endearing as all fucking Fuck.
I think my love for this dude, while pretty early in our brolationship, is rooted in an appreciation for the song "Suddenly Suddenly", as he makes that fucking song sound like we're in the room with him as he's describing shit I won't even ruin for you. Dude makes the morbid fascination with other people's pain (YOU DOWN WITH OPP! YEAH YOU KNOW ME!) absolutely gorgeous.
I'd like to think Small Wonder is down to become best friends with me, but only because I want to be the one to hug him after he comes off stage. But that wanting of a hug has an alterior motive bro.
I want to wipe my tears on his shoulder as I hug him. I MEAN, HE'S ALREADY SOAKED TO THE NIPS FROM PERFORMANCE SWEAT, WHAT'S A FEW DRAMS OF JOEL TEARS BRO?
Give this man money. Give this man you attention. Receive boner.
Thanks for the boner Small Wonder. I heart you.
*Tom's note #2: Now Del wants to contribute? Fuck, he hasn't written anything since the Mongols invaded China. This lazy review suddenly turned very unlazy. But hey, like your farts you can't keep in your feelz...or you get chlamydia. #facts
Del says:
Last week while trolling Soundcloud for some new covers I stumbled upon Field Mouse's cover of the title theme to "That Thing you Do" which led me to the label that released that song on a Record Store Day Compilation which led me to sample other acts on said label ..which finally led me to my new current obsession: Small Wonder's Wendy. The moral of the story is: the god damn internet can take you to some amazing places some times if you let it. Dig in and wait for your reward.
Holy hell I am so very thankful for Tom Hanks and the 1onders. If not for them I might never know the beauty and pain that is Wendy. This seven song EP carries a certain gravitas that ensnares you right from the jump off and never lets go. If anything it holds you tighter and tighter until "Until I Open My Wings" offers up a liberating release in the form of a his and her sing off that belongs in your top ten moments for 2014. That's right it transcends "song". It is a god damn moment. I want everyone to have the feelz with me. It is special. OK Hyperbole done. I refuse to over hype this any further for fear of scaring you off.. Go check it out. I'll wait here. Rolled up in a pile of my emotions.