Album title:
What's The Time Mr.Wolf?
Artist:
The Noisettes
Label:
RRINT VERSION
On their debut album, Noisettes' Shingai Shoniwa's vocal prowl leads the band through the double call-to-arms salvos 'Don't Give Up' and 'Scratch Your Name', both full of thrashy new-wave guitars and decisive intent. She then changes tack in the beguiling 'Count of Monte Christo', a serene and jazzy effort that shows off the wide range and depth of Shingai's vocals. It's this voice that dominates proceedings throughout, making the good songs sound great, such as on the riff-heavy soul of 'IWE', and alternating easily between loungey tranquillity and catty prickliness; oftentimes, as on 'Nothing To Dread', within the same song. When we do hear a male lead vocal, it's on a folky afterthought at the end of the album. Sounding despairing and defeated, guitarist Daniel sings "I'll never fall in love again," and is soon rejoined by Shingai, as if she feels he needs some help in getting to the end of the song unscathed. She's probably right. [Barry Jackson]