Wig Wamania – Hardrock Haven [us]
8.5 / 10 - Comments: Wig Wam is a band consisting of guys with silly names (Teeny, Glam, Sporty and Flash) and even more silly costumes. This in and of itself is enough to keep even the most die hard metal fan away. The band simply looks like a joke. Do not be dismayed, my good metal brethren; get past the horrible image this band is simply outstanding.
Wig Wamania is Norway's Wig Wam's second offering after 2005's Hard To Be A Rock N Roller. Wig Wamania begins with a really cheesy intro "Wig Wamania" that sounds like an evangelist preaching to the masses. His message is of course Rock-N-Roll. This alone is enough to make you shut the disc off. But don't, what follows is 11 well performed, well crafted tunes that will have your foot tappin' and your fist in the air. Some of the lyrics are pretty silly, like "Hey there honey you look hot tonight, can you feel the itch for a man in tights," is just one of many examples of cheesy lyrics you will find on Wig Wamania.
"Rock My Ride" is a proper opening not only for the album but for the band's live show. This song is simply fun from beginning to end with one of the best guitar solos heard on any album this year.
"Slave To your Love" is the first power ballad. Vocals are really great with a hook that will have you singing by the second chorus.
"Gonna Get You Someday" is another hook infested-tune in the vein of Poison or Warrant. This song simply screams for radio airplay. This song has another very fitting and competent guitar solo.
"Bygone Zone" is a mid-tempo rocker. This is one of the best songs on the album about taking some one you love for granted and not realizing it 'til they're gone. This is one of the few songs on the album where the guitar solo suffers a little bit. Not that what's played is bad; it just doesn't live up to the high standard created with the rest of the songs.
"Dare Devil Heat" starts out with cheese-wiz tricks but the song is outstanding. Teeny's guitar work through out the song really sets the vibe of this one. It's not that what he does is all that incredible but it just really makes the song tick. He seems always to know exactly what the song needs.
"The Riddle" begins with a guitar part that reminds you of how an Iron Maiden song would begin. This is an instrumental affair that like everything else on the album is hellbent on great song craft above everything else. It is very melodic and showcases each instrument in the band well. The rock bottom line is that you will find a hundred reasons to hate this band and hate this album but some how you won't be able to stop listening to it.
Wig Wamania simply has more hooks then a fisherman's hat in the middle of July. One of the main reasons this album works is that no one overplays their parts. Every band member seems to be on a mission to deliver the finest songs possible and boy do they succeed.
The production is first rate and along with outstanding performances from the band make this album a must-have for 2006. This is a great band. Most metal heads will enjoy this album provided that listen to it for what it is with their tongues firmly in their cheeks.
Danny Clark - hardrockhaven.net
Wig Wamania is Norway's Wig Wam's second offering after 2005's Hard To Be A Rock N Roller. Wig Wamania begins with a really cheesy intro "Wig Wamania" that sounds like an evangelist preaching to the masses. His message is of course Rock-N-Roll. This alone is enough to make you shut the disc off. But don't, what follows is 11 well performed, well crafted tunes that will have your foot tappin' and your fist in the air. Some of the lyrics are pretty silly, like "Hey there honey you look hot tonight, can you feel the itch for a man in tights," is just one of many examples of cheesy lyrics you will find on Wig Wamania.
"Rock My Ride" is a proper opening not only for the album but for the band's live show. This song is simply fun from beginning to end with one of the best guitar solos heard on any album this year.
"Slave To your Love" is the first power ballad. Vocals are really great with a hook that will have you singing by the second chorus.
"Gonna Get You Someday" is another hook infested-tune in the vein of Poison or Warrant. This song simply screams for radio airplay. This song has another very fitting and competent guitar solo.
"Bygone Zone" is a mid-tempo rocker. This is one of the best songs on the album about taking some one you love for granted and not realizing it 'til they're gone. This is one of the few songs on the album where the guitar solo suffers a little bit. Not that what's played is bad; it just doesn't live up to the high standard created with the rest of the songs.
"Dare Devil Heat" starts out with cheese-wiz tricks but the song is outstanding. Teeny's guitar work through out the song really sets the vibe of this one. It's not that what he does is all that incredible but it just really makes the song tick. He seems always to know exactly what the song needs.
"The Riddle" begins with a guitar part that reminds you of how an Iron Maiden song would begin. This is an instrumental affair that like everything else on the album is hellbent on great song craft above everything else. It is very melodic and showcases each instrument in the band well. The rock bottom line is that you will find a hundred reasons to hate this band and hate this album but some how you won't be able to stop listening to it.
Wig Wamania simply has more hooks then a fisherman's hat in the middle of July. One of the main reasons this album works is that no one overplays their parts. Every band member seems to be on a mission to deliver the finest songs possible and boy do they succeed.
The production is first rate and along with outstanding performances from the band make this album a must-have for 2006. This is a great band. Most metal heads will enjoy this album provided that listen to it for what it is with their tongues firmly in their cheeks.
Danny Clark - hardrockhaven.net
