The Wildhearts - Chutzpah! [Album]

Backstage Alliance

September 5, 2009, 03:24 PM

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Am I allowed to be a bit less objective and be slightly romantic when it comes to reviewing one of my favourite (if not my absolute favourite) bands ever?

Geordie legends The Wildhearts are finally back. After getting a “Spirit of Independence” Award from the same Kerrang whose offices they once trashed, “Chutzpah!” hits the record stores shelves with glowing reviews from every newspaper and magazine in the UK. I’m not one of those people that labels a band as a “sell out” only because they finally managed to make a living out of their art, however I have been wondering if that title would have ever been awarded back in the days when The Wildhearts were selling out venues DESPITE Kerrang.

Since parting ways with tormented and iconic bass player Danny McCormack in favour of the more disciplined Scott Sorry, The Wildhearts published another acclaimed album which was also self titled, in 2007. Their sound has shifted from genius edgy pop punk to harder, heavy metal style riffs that many of you may know is not really my cup of tea but in this instance The Wildhearts have definitely done a good job. “Chutzpah!” appears to be the final consecration from underground to mainstream for this historic four-piece and after repeatedly opening for bands that had once been their openers (i.e. the Darkness) I guess the mastermind that is Ginger deserved his talent to be recognised by someone else than his loyal fan base.

Apparently, “Chutzpah!” signs a change of “regime” for The Wildhearts where Ginger’s despotic reign of dictatorship steps off in favour of democracy letting everyone having a go at both song-writing and singing. It seems to make the album rich and mutifaceted in its entirety which is nice. However, some songs do seem to lose out in the originality department after all there is only one Ginger.

Most of “Chutzpah” could be any (good) band you hear nowadays on Kerrang! TV. The single 'The Only One' is a well put together pop punk track with added boosts in the chorus but, being an unusual The Wildhearts song and missing Ginger's vocals, it could really be any Jimmy Eats World out there. 'The Jackson Whites' is slightly darker yet catchy and melodic, at times borrowing more metal sounds from their previous record. 'Plastic Jebus' moves the balance even more towards punk metal. The initial riff is something you’ve definitely heard before, however I think I can see Ginger’s genius song writing here, changing the cards on the table and managing to turn it into a unique piece of modern rock. 'John Of Violence' is maybe the more “The Wildhearts” so far, although it lacks some of the energy; catchy pop punk with a harder riff that gives you the feeling that your heart is filling like a balloon towards the chorus and with the old material it would just explode in a thousand pieces. Here it just peacefully deflates to inflate again at the next chorus.

'You Are Proof That Not All Women Are Insane” definitely takes the album up a notch towards the traditional The Wildhearts standards of melody and pop punk energy with an edgy final. 'Tim Smith' is again, something you’ve heard before; a fast punk metal tune the kids will be headbanging to alongside Slipknot and company. In this track they even give a go at screaming vocals and then calm down a little for a chorus that initially reminds you of 'Turning American.' I don’t know how this blend of screaming and melody will go down in the charts but on the album at least they kept some originality. 'Low Energy Vortex' is just weird; I’ll have to give it a few more goes but it seems like everything just happens at the same time. There’s this catchy melody, then a good riff, then total chaos.

I love 'You Took The Sunshine From New York', a smooth and catchy tune which is almost romantic in a college punk rock way. Next up, 'Mazel Tov Cocktail'. Now we’re talking! I finally recognise The Wildhearts again now. My foot and my head are actually moving by themselves. I can feel it, bless. Finally the title track, 'Chutzpah!' with it's powerful opening riff, more screaming and a fast innuendo recalling 'Caffeine Bomb' just a bit more metal and not quite as good. Or maybe it is and I’m just too old school, who knows?!

"Chutzpah!" as a whole album grows on you by the second listen through which is a damn good sign when it comes to Ginger’s often eccentric work. "Chutzpah!" is a very good album. It’s contemporary enough to sell units yet still showcases Ginger’s song writing skills and how he can turn most songs into long lasting punk rock masterpieces. Still (and here comes the romantic bit), there are good punk, rock and metal bands out there but there is only one Wildhearts and unfortunately, they've gone. OK it is a long time gone but you can’t blame me for hoping it would come back every time a new album comes out. Regardless, my advice is to buy this album, however, if you’re not familiar with The Wildhearts I would also suggest you dig into their back catalogue (contact me for a list of enlightening tracks). You will be pleasantly surprised.

The Wildhearts are on tour in the UK this autumn. Whatever you do don’t miss them because Ginger & Co. recently moved to New York making it not that easy to catch them live in the UK anymore. The Wildhearts live show is one of those that will give you goose bumps and make you cry realising how great the power of music can be.

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