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We Are Wolves

Non-Stop Je Te Plie en Deux (2005)
Fat Possum Records

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Contributed by: Matt Whelihan
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 9th 2005

We Are Wolves, much like fellow Montreal denizens the Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade, have a sound that could make them the next Pied Piper of hipsters everywhere, yet they seem to lack the same songwriting skills and depth of their Canadian peers. Instead, their noisy dance-punk numbers often grow grating thanks to their sparse soundscapes, synthetic tone, and repetitious nature.

The album opens with a screechy siren synth wail before a dance beat and fuzzy guitar riff kick in. Next come the shouting-through-a-broken-megaphone vocals. This might be “Little Birds,” but it could pretty much be any song on the album. Formulaic isn’t always an insult, some bands are able to latch on to a certain style and bang out great song after great song, but for We Are Wolves each song seems like it must fulfill a list of prerequisites the band determined upon forming.

Dance beat; check. Noise guitar line; check. Some synth noises; check. Shouting some cryptic phrases; check. Well guys, looks like you’ve got another song in the can.

Sometimes We Are Wolves stumble onto one of Polysics' more melodic moments, or one of Kill Me Tomorrow’s more interesting passages, but for the most part they seem trapped in their limited formula.

Even the high-strung energy that can keep dance-based bands interesting seems lacking here. The drums may be live, but the beats are so repetitive and their tone so electronic and lifeless that it seems a drum machine could do the job just as well. Sometimes the guitar, synth, and vocals seem to be wrapped in fuzz and overdrive simply to make up for a lack of enthusiasm on the part of the band.

Some people will probably argue that this is a great mash-up of noise and dance, a melding of spastic bursts and well-rooted grooves, but the problem is that while We Are Wolves may have intended to create music that symbolizes an intersection of chaos and order, the final product doesn’t come off that way. Instead we are left with an album that drones on like a rickety old machine that is discordant, monotonous, and mechanical.

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Anonymous (December 14, 2005)

not their fault your retarded.

Ha!

Anonymous (December 13, 2005)

I bought this CD by accident because of the influx of "wolf" titled bands bands and I couldnt remember which one I wanted and which one I wanted to avoid. It turns out this was the one I was supposed to avoid.

It is so fucking bad. Its pretentious noisy garbage that nas nothing to be stuck up about in the first place and no art to drive its dissonance. Its hollow bullshit and you cant even dance to it.

Fuck this band.

not their fault your retarded.

GreenVandal (December 13, 2005)

Your right. A bunch of dudes banging on things and singing about absolutely nothing is WAY better then that in every aspect. They certainly deserve their (hopefully incredibly small) paycheck.

boldredletters (December 11, 2005)

it's really funny the assumptions people make about "scenesters." they are a bunch of really nice dudes who make music that you don't like. i think there are some really good moments on the CD, personally, particularly "non stop." at least it isn't a bunch of buff thirty year old dudes with etnies shirts, forty dollar haircuts, women's jeans, and earrings singing about their high school relationships.

GreenVandal (December 11, 2005)

Will, I would listen first comment second. This is a bunch of scenesters without any talent. There are no redeemable aspects to this music. The noise parts arent even inspiring.

Boring.

Anonymous (December 11, 2005)

We Are Wolves, Raised By Wolves, The Wolfnote, Aids Wolf, Wolf Parade.... too many Canadian lupin bands out there.

boldredletters (December 11, 2005)

i like it. there are a few really good songs on it; when i saw them live, they were pretty great (opening for the Gossip).

Anonymous (December 10, 2005)

Who cares if it's "catchy?" This review was done from a very pop-rock "what's the formula!?" point of view, and when it comes to those standards, you could tear apart Brian Eno and Wire, easily.

I haven't heard this band, but it doesn't sound like they care about being danceable.

-Will

Anonymous (December 10, 2005)

Please, no more Montreal band reviews that reference Arcade Fire. They have nothing to do with We Are Wolves.

Rob.

givemeamuseumandillfillit (December 10, 2005)

I bought it for the artwork, so worth it.

Anonymous (December 10, 2005)

I also saw that show, (trail of dead, and (i)nc) and thought they were pretty good.

...evildeadalive

maverick (December 10, 2005)

Also saw these guys with Trail Of Dead and T(I)NC. Also thought they were horrible. This is the exact type of music I always figured French Canadians were making.

-Scott

GreenVandal (December 9, 2005)

sallyjesse (December 9, 2005)

quatre tet= good
we are wolves=another band name with an animal in it

Anonymous (December 9, 2005)

Played a show with these guys back in Nov. They really suck live. I mean c'mon how hard is it to push a button on a drum machine. They kept bitching at the sound guy all night. Very unprofessional. Music was weak and uninspiring. Also on the bill were Quatre Tet who really kicked ass.

xrobotcorex (December 9, 2005)

There's a local Pittsburgh band called We're Wolves. Weird.

the_other_scott (December 9, 2005)

saw these guys with trail of dead and t(i)nc

they were fucking horrible

the other bands were good though