The Well Wishers “Blue Sky Sun”
There are few artists as consistently pleasing as Jeff Shelton (aka The Well Wishers). 12 albums in, Jeff took a break from power pop to work on his fuzzy shoegaze rock project Deadlights, but he has returned, like the prodigal son for his latest, Blue Sky Sun. The pandemic has given his life pause, and allowed him to return to the melodic hook-laden sounds he started his career with (The Spinning Jennies).
Jeff discovers his optimism with the opener “Figure it Out Myself,” and his crunchy guitars are similar to Matthew Sweet. The slow-building verses of “Any Way At All” and “Blue Sky Sun” are supported by layers of jangle and self-insight. But Jeff really lets his power pop flag fly with the irresistibly catchy gem “Idiot Smile.” Comparisons to Cheap Trick are apt for the anthemic political commentary “Radicalized” and “Just Enough” is another great tune with a great beat/riff combo. A cover of Guided by Voices’ “Game of Pricks” fits in fine here, and the ending piano ballad “Blue Water” is likely the best Well Wisher ballad ever. Not a note of filler here and it’s hard to argue that this doesn’t belong in my top ten list for 2022. Super highly recommended.
Ward White “Ice Cream Chords”
Los Angeles-based art-rock crooner Ward White returns with a deft blend of dry wit and guitar riffs. Starting with “Shorter,” he laments on aging as we are all “over and it’s overdue,” to a catchy rhythm. Next “Rumors” is full of overbearing anxiety set to a Cars-like synth refrain. Another standout is “Mezcal Moth,” a song about Juarez with a great chorus and ascending bassline. No matter White’s observations about a bad concert (“Ice Cream Chords”) or even musical metaphors (“Like A Bridge”) it’s always a distinctive tableau.
His fragile-sounding vocals and clever lyrics perfectly fit on some of the more despondent narratives, be it the corruption of “Born Again” or the brilliantly somber “Signore.” While there are fewer hooks in these songs, the compositions contain some interesting chord shifts. The quick guitar arpeggios in the verses and reverb-echoed guitar solo of “Slouch” are an example of artisan details that can be appreciated here. Overall, Highly Recommended.
