Wig Wam - Wig Wamania

"Wig Wamania" was my first introduction to Wig Wam. Their name instantly brings thoughts of 1970's glam rock, and more specifically Sweet who had a song titled "Wig-Wam Bam". However, Wig Wam the band's roots are in 1980's glam metal. Yes, they are a bit of a parody, not unlike The Darkness. Their look is ridiculous, the album name is silly, and the lyrics are equally silly. However, these guys are also fun and despite the silliness, their music isn't ridiculous. The fact that they don't take themselves too seriously only adds to the fun. Song like album opener "Rock My Ride" and the melodic "Slave to My Love" are chock full of instant hooks. "Gonna Get You Someday" could have been on the first Skid Row, or even *GASP* a Bon Jovi CD. "Dare Devil Heart" and "Kill My Rock 'n' Roll" have that same energy that I remember on albums like "Love At First Sting" and "Shout At the Devil." I detect a huge TNT influence as well, which probably wouldn't be too far fetched being that TNT and Wig Wam both hail from Norway, a country known more for black metal than for anything with hairspray and lipstick. The whole album sounds rather familiar without sounding exactly like any particular band. "Wig Wamania" just has that same fun spirit that metal had in the early 80's before it became an outlet for anger and hatred. Infectious choruses, sing along anthems, heavy guitars, clean melodic vocals, rippin' guitar solos. It's 1985 all over again. Long live the 80's!

Written by No Life ’til Metal
www.nolifetilmetal.com