Wolf Mail – New Studio Album
“The Wolf Is At Our Door”
By Neil Vaughan
Wolf Mail delivers a heartfelt examination of the blues and the state of the world and his most engaging and thoughtful studio album to date. There’s a few studio tricks and plenty of true grit vocals that build in a genre record that transcends genre.
Lyrically this album runs from the title track’s slow stomp lament at the creeping darkness seeping from our electronically run reality to Arlene, a high speed Chuck Berry inspired ride back in time to a ’63 Chevy Nova the streets of LA and Wolf at twenty paying is musical dues.
Wolf has developed the styling of the electric blues legends into his own unique sound. Something this album perfectly showcases with its classic moments yet totally of the now tribal beat. The beat of the human tribe circa 2023.
He writes of the wolf at everyone’s door, exactly capturing the common urge to both escape and tackle the fearmongers head on. The theme continues in Just In Time an elegant reflection on Karma and our endless addictions. While the delicate slide and picking on his cover of Dan Penn and Don Nix’s Like a Road creates a luminously haunting feel that both counterpoints and emphasizes the heavier tracks.
Though traditional blues lovers might choose the opener Albert’s Theme as their pick of the record. A sparkling tribute to Albert King, who Wolf both emulates and updates with ease. His instrumental Loner takes things further conjuring up an evocative soundscape that long standing fans will see as a very different Wolf to the one they know from hard driving blues rock shows.
The artist himself sees this album as an evolution, a fresh path, saying it’s the first time he’s totally focused on making a true studio record rather than re-capturing the driving energy of his live act. ‘Time stood still for many people during the pandemic, I decided to make a positive out of being unable to tour. Crafting the strongest set of songs I’ve ever written, asking everything up a level with a more contemporary sound and feel. much of that thanks to great production work by Niko Sarran at Rhythm Studios in he South of France and Simon Berckleman at Golden Retriever Studios in Sydney.’
The result is a stylish refresh for Wolf, both musically and in his and vocal craft. He still approaches time honoured blues scales and chords with his renowned fast finger panache but he’s mellowed the guitar driven vibe that earned him his living touring the globe for almost two decades. French based Niko Sarran was brough in to handle the drums and percussion to further broaden the spectrum. His parts were laid down at Rythmn Studios near Montpellier. Reuben Alexander (Nick Launay/The Bad seeds) on additional drums as well as Pianist’s Mike Lattrell (Popa Chubby).
The international collaboration also included overdubbing at River Studio in Alkmaar Holland. While Wolf worked mostly with Harry Brus in Sydney some bass lines come from the sadly departed Roman Grinev, Wolf’s friend and ally on many European tours. He wrote the track Don’t Fall Down in memory of Roman and his talent lives on in this and other parts of Wolf At The Door.
As an overall listening experience this album delivers a contemporary bluesy feel, plus slow burn vocals and psyche like sonic moments that will remind aficionados of Muddy Water’s Electric Mud, especially when listening to the title track.
Wolf At The Door is also an album in the old sense, more than just a collection of tracks. A complete work with meshing themes that should be enjoyed in full in one sitting. Appropriately released on vinyl LP and CD as well as download, to offer the full sound experience.
Who: Wolf Mail
What: New Album “The Wolf Is At Our Door”
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