Wampire // Bazaar
by Maggie Danna on October 7, 2014
Posted in: Album Review, Concert, Eclectic, Electronic, Music
Wampire’s second album, Bazaar, released October 7th, is all we could hope for and more. The group takes the dancey, synth-psych sound of Curiosity, their first album, and pumps even more energy and innovation into it. From beginning to end, it’s delightful. Various styles are incorporated, from dance, to punk in “Sticking Out,” and even a bit of jazz in “Too Stoned,” which translates crushing paranoia into an auditory experience. The finale, “People of Earth,” sung through the viewpoint of a cosmic being “made of glitter” who has “flown from star to star to reach this planet so blue” and offers wise words to us earthlings, is perfect. It’s also quite reminiscent of Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” To quote Audrey from Twin Peaks, “I love this music. Isn’t it too dreamy?” And the reverb on this album is better than ever. Only complaint is that it could be longer, clocking in at a quick 33 minutes. Best tracks are “Wizard Staff” (the one single), “Fly on the Wall,” and “People of Earth.” But please listen to the whole thing; it’s beautiful. Wampire’s on tour, so check out these dates if you want to see them:
BEST TRACKS: 3, 4, 9
RIYL: Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Electric Light Orchestra
GRADE: A-
Baazar is out 10/7 on Polyvinyl. Listen on Spotify here.
Maggie Dana hosts a show called Weasel Starship Tuesdays, 3:30-5:00 pm on WRMC.
