EXPLORING NEW GROUND BUT...
danza55 | Athens, Greece | 10/15/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Don't actually own this album because it's a departure from their earlier stuff which I really love & not too keen on this release, but just to correct the previous reviewer (bordersj2).2 faces is actually Wagon Cookin's 5th album.Their 2nd album release titled Assorted Cookin' is an assortment of mainly b-sides taken from their Appetizers album so if you can find a copy of this rare release it will definitely complete the collection!"
This Can't be Wagon Cookin'... is it?? No way...
bordersj2 | Boston | 03/19/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Wagon Cookin' are Luis and Javier Garayalde, and hail from Spain. I've been a Wagon Cookin' fan since I first heard "Lua" some 6 or so years ago on Rainer Truby's last Glucklich album. Since then I hunted for their sound and albums, finally getting my hands on their debut album "Appetizers", the follow-up from 2004 "Everyday Life" and their import special "Sunny Side Up" album which had remixes and songs off of LP's, which also served as a mini "Everyday Life" sampler. The sound I grew accustomed to was really organic, and they featured real musicianship but what also drew me to them was the fusion between different musical styles. Simply put, their sound was mature, neat, and pushed the boundaries.
So here we are with their third (or fourth if you count the Japan import) album. And I have to say, though I'm staring flat at the front of the disc, I can't believe it's them. Still don't. I won't. This is a two disc set of heavy electronic tracks in the Compost mold and is... on the Compost label. The connection seems sort of inevitable, since Rainer Truby/Glucklich series are on Compost. Anyways, Disc 1 is a little easier to swallow for the casual listener. You've got some hints to their musicianship in "Incredible" with the flute and neat keywork. "Ridin' on the Wind" starts easy enough and tries to get funky. They return a little to the Portuguese roots with... just Portuguese lyrics on "Desejo". "What's it Like" also had some potential to it - reminded me of something off the Arisionable label. But that's about it for disc one that I could sort of listen to. As for CD 2 - it's all abstract Electronica. As a whole both discs share one unfortunate characteristic - the songs don't go anywhere.
Sorry for the odd review but this is much different from what Wagon Cookin' have done & I'm honestly not the biggest fan of this release. But I can't really down the album because it's just not my cup of tea (or wine or Redbull & vodka for that matter). Sort of reminiscent of Blue States 'The Sounding', which I avoided reviewing specifically for this reason. I'm a big electronica and Compost fan, and I can see what their intentions were but this one doesn't work for me. Compost is quality, but I think Wagon Cookin' might've been better off taking this to Seiji, Kaidi T, Orin and the rest of the BITA gang(Bugz in the Attic). Whatever the case, if you're looking for their older sound, BE WARNED that this is TOTALLY DIFFERENT from their older works. Hopefully they take a step back and return to the sound I (and I think loads of others) enjoyed so much in the early/mid 00's. After all, Blue States did!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1