Wild Beasts: Smother

Wild Beasts
Smother
Rating: Woof Daddy

"Semen. What is it about that ridiculous white secretion that pulls down the corners of an Englishman's mouth?" Lytton Strachey

Wild Beasts likely have pondered that same question as, over the course of now three records, they have spent their time dwelling on the romantic/philosophical/debaucherous nature of sex, particularly the debaucherous side. Their debut Limbo, Panto, dealt with themes of sexual depravity and vulnerability, lead singer Hayden Thorpe's ear-shattering falsetto playing with expectations of gender. It was a striking debut, one of the few records in 2008 that sounded like nothing else out there. Aside from a couple of more pop-oriented numbers, most of the album felt like a cabaret act on crack. It was an exhilarating listen, but also exhausting. Two Dancers, the follow up, was still sex obsessed, but charted new waters, being more subtle in their approach. The album was a major leap forward as the band reigned in their all for broke style and focused on their strengths. The most notable change was Thorpe's voice. While still one of the most distinct voices out there, he showed more control over his wild flights of fancy, even giving over several songs to bassist Tom Fleming's deep bass/baritone, which couldn't have been more different, providing a nice counterpoint to Thorpe's more distinct style. Based on the Mercury Prize nomination and widespread critical acclaim for Two Dancers, all eyes, and ears were on what Wild Beasts would come up with next. Smother finds the band in complete control, slightly altering their sound, creating a set of songs that work as a whole, yet stand alone perfectly. The album shares more with Two Dancers than Limbo, Panto, and while some fans will likely bristle at the band's neglect of its more fanciful sojourns, Smother shows a mature sound (read more complex and agile sound and not boring or fuddy-duddy), placing them, in my mind, in line with Spirit of Eden era Talk Talk, forging a new path ahead for themselves.

Smother is a very quiet album. If this is someone's first introduction to the band, you might be asking yourself what is the big deal about this band. You really need to start at the beginning to understand what makes this album so great; the leaps they have taken in only three albums. The oblique approach they take to their lyrics also involves the listener much more into the song, allowing for a more personal attachment. The songs slowly insinuate themselves in your head, seemingly tame at the onset, with only closer inspection showing the somewhat ribald nature of the lyrics.

The first track "Lion's Share," begins in almost old-style Wild Beasts, Thorpe's voice jumping all over the place in his usual thrilling style, contrasted with Fleming's bass adding the perfect foil. Musically, it is a slow build of pianos and buzzing electronics, born from the bands' new found love of artists like Fuck Buttons. The lyrics are typically debaucherous, the protagonist taking his lover "like a lion takes his game."

Wild Beasts - Lion's Share by Mindcircus

"Bed of Nails" starts with allusions to Hamlet, the narrator overcome with madness over his lover, wanting his "lips to blister when we kiss." Moving to outright insanity, becoming like the creature from Frankenstein, "when our bodies become electrified/together we bring this creature to life."

Wild Beasts - Bed of Nails by Mindcircus

"Plaything," is the most sinister track, lowkey buzzing of synths lurk underneath Thorpe's louche vocal, his words practically dripping with sex, commanding his lover to "take off your chemise/And I'll do as I please."

5 Plaything by catoasapunOM

And on first single "Albatross," the ex-lover akin to the titular bird, "It's my neck around which you hang/Like a chain or a tag/I flinch and you fall through the cracks/To the sea and all it bears." Thorpe puts forth one of his loveliest vocals, the pianos creating a haunting atmosphere.



Although sex seems to be the preoccupation on Smother, it is way more subtle than the band has put forward in the past. And frequently, the songs are more about relationships in general. "Reach A Little Further," is a gorgeous song sung in counterpoint by the two vocalists, Thorpe playing the cad, while Fleming provides the voice of reason, singing:

"I say yes I will do all the things that you ask of me
I say yes I will, come on darling, have no fear

And though the way is dark
And hands will grab our arms

I'll remember this
And only this."

Wild Beasts - Reach A Bit Further by allstarsandrew

While I love Thorpe's voice, I will have to admit that Fleming's voice is the more supple and gorgeous of the two. On a couple of songs, he is the only voice, and it is quietly devastating. "Burning" is by far the highlight of the album. Under a bed of gamalan-like guitars and keyboards, Fleming's voice goes from resignation, desperation and acceptance with such fluidity. The only qualm with the song, is that it should have ended the album. It is so striking and gorgeous, it makes the perfect end page.

Wild Beasts - Burning by khadunio

Fleming's voice is further spotlighted on "Invisible," which seems to be about a man overshadowed by his lover, losing grip on his individuality, "Your lips to my lips/I cease to exist."



Smother is not going to hit you over the head immediately. It is a hushed album that is not afraid to take its time getting to where it wants to go. I liken it a true headphones album, forcing you to enter its world and become part of it. Listening to it without true concentration, the songs can get lost in the background, but once you let nothing else in, the beauty and complexity of this true work of art come racing to the forefront. Smother is a tremendously exciting album, and likely in front for my album of 2011.

Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.