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Ambiguously titled LP ‘Types Of Wood’ is the latest offering from Whirlwind Heat. After blipping the radar three years ago, having been ‘discovered’ by teen favourite Jack White, they’re back with a new album and recently released EP to try and convert those non-believers out there. Taking their name from the album cover artwork of seminal Sonic Youth album ‘Goo’, it’s quite obvious what to expect from this long-player.
Opening track ‘Air Miami’ is a surprisingly frantic, bursting number certain to pull the intoxicated punters to their feet in a local pub, many thanks to the curiously danceable groove. This is evident throughout the LP, as each track frustrates you into getting up and making a fool of yourself by dancing in the most inappropriate of places. Especially when playing on some form of personal music playing device such as an mp3 player or iPod.
Following this opening track is the subject of a recent EP, ‘Reagan’. This, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the finest tracks on offer by the noise mongering Sonic Youth-esque bands of late. Currently unsigned bands should take note here, as a key formula is evident; Melodic, bright bass line + fittingly out of tune vocals + an intermittent burst of fuzz drenched Guitars a la Thruston Moore/Billy Corgan = Excellent tune. But please, don’t forget the obligatory ‘la la la la laa’ of successful psychedelic punk. After all, that’s what this is all about.
By the mid point of the album it becomes quite evident that Whirlwind Heat aren’t slaves to the machine and frankly don’t give a shit what people think of them. This may inhibit their appeal to certain markets, thus making fame and popularity difficult, but this is exactly what draws certain types of people to them. These people are those looking for something different, something so un-commercial it becomes a commercial hit. These are the people who love Sonic Youth, the people who dislike Led Zeppelin. These are the people hold the future of contemporary music in their hands.
So to summarise, if you like obscure lyrics, funky Bass lines, Grungy Guitars and a lesson in the alphabet courtesy of both ‘French’ and ‘The Sun Is Round’, then this album is for you. Sounding like the bastard lovechild of Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Sonic Youth and The Pixies, it can be ascertained that this is certainly an acquired taste. But, with a certain degree of open mindedness and a bit of dedicated time, a lot can be gotten from an experience with Whirlwind Heat.
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