The classic Wildhearts lineup has reconvened, and recorded the aptly titled Renaissance Men, not so much a return to form, as their quality control has never dropped, but more a continuation of their trademark sound.
The packed standing area was already champing at the bit,like a terrier straining on the leash, during the intro tape, and set opener, the exceptional Everlone( a distillation of everything Wildhearted) with its’ marriage of muscle and melody provoked frenzied pogoing and a mass singalong as the song ebbed and flowed from outright heaviosity to an almost dreamy midsection.
Introducing Diagnosis(one of four newbies taken from RM, including the scarifying Dislocated)with a comment regarding mental health is awareness raising from a man who has walked that mile.Vanilla Radio, with the insistent “woahs” is as catchy as a coronavirus, while Caffeine Bomb is less a coffee infusion and more rocket fuel. The guitars of CJ(looking very dapper) and Ginger crunch and grind,but the melody is never far away, and the harmonies are spot on, in particular during TV Tan.Sick of Drugs(Are we?We are!) barrels along like a runaway truck, and Ginger is a blur of dreads and ink on the even faster I Wanna Go Where The People Go.
Phew, needed a break after that, as I’m sure Ritch Battersby did,after giving the kit a thorough Battering. Flat caps off to Danny McCormack, soldiering on one leg, and laying down the roadbase.The encore is an absolute treat-My Baby is a Headfuck and the breeze block riffage and miltary snare work of the epic Love YouTill I Don’t.
Some have compared The Wildhearts music to a mixture of The Beatles and Metallica, I would throw in that Mr Hetfield and Mr Ulrich would love some of Ginger’s songwriting craft…
