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Patrick Wolf

Wind in the Wires
2005
Tomlab

Patrick Wolf - Wind in the Wires (Cover Artwork)

Review by: BJR
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Mr. Wolfs Webpage (link)

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Published on December 27th 2005

If the kids on "The OC" were poor goth kids instead of rich hipsters, then I wouldn’t be surprised if Patrick Wolf would be as popular as Conor Oberst is right now. Mr. Wolf in general is a little hard to fully understand and take in. He was “found” as a child by art collective Minty and record label Capital K. They gave him a computer to record on and a plethora of synthesizers to play with. His prodigal childhood and effeminacy ultimately lead to much bullying. This uncertainty is shown in some of his songs, which are full of hope. He also tends to occasionally dress up in a dress to perform, making him stand out from all the other sweater-vest indie rockers of today.

Patrick Wolf is doing everything he can to hone his craft. He recently got a degree in composition of music from Trinity College, which is showcased in his vocal range, live and in the studio. His songwriting is extremely dark and brooding. On this album, the mood is brought on from the moment you buy the disc. His label, Tomlab records (Cologne), really went all out on the nostalgic black and white photos and elaborate CD art.

The melodies are haunting as well, which is made apparent by the haunting melody on (in my opinion, the album’s best track) “Teignmouth.” In my many years of listening to music, I have never heard such a strange array of music instruments as on this album. OK, wait for it...synthesizers (iBook), viola/violin, ukulele, drum, accordion, organ, and acoustic guitar. The strangeness only makes Wind in the Wires more interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Wolf utilized an entire orchestra on his next release.

What may surprise many is the maturity of Mr. Wolf’s lyrics, which gives it a poetic quality that far surpasses his age (I read “The Railway House” at my Thanksgiving dinner). I can imagine Patrick sitting solemnly at a piano surrounded by candles in a dimly lit room. This aspect of his music is brought out on tracks like “The Gypsy King” and “Ghost Song.” After every listen I still can’t get over how good of a singer he is. The aesthetic quality of his voice brings out the emotion in songs like “This Weather.” The violin also adds a mournful tone to tracks as well as the electronic grind of songs like “Apparition” and “Jacob’s Ladder.” If only certain Halloween soundtracks would only take a nod from Patrick Wolf, then I would truly be spooked (since when did Killswitch Engage become scary? Oh sorry, I forget Adam Dutkiewicz).

What makes this album not a perfect 10 but a 9 is the truly horrific electronic vomit at the end of “Jacob’s Ladder” makes me want to vomit…oh well, he is only 21. He has received some press for being a jewel thief but has since been exonerated. He also keeps in touch with fans, not on a blog, but with a monthly letter he scribbles down on paper and scans onto his website.

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Posted by groopie on 2006-06-07 08:59:50
My Score:

Why the comments on his looks?
It's not what he looks like, but how he sounds.

He is a dreamy poet. Wise beyond his years.

You can only wish you will have some of that wisdom, maybe,if your lucky, by the time you are middle-aged, and finally realize, that, no, you will never be famous, nor rich, just an average person, but that is OK, too, because it's the inner beauty, and your integrity that really counts.

He is multi-talented.
So what is the crime that he has managed to accomplish this at so young an age?

Prodigies can inspire awe, but mostly, jealousy.

as far as he looks.

He is beautiful, in a fragile way.
and skin so white, like alabaster.
some would say feminine.
so what?

True, that if you imagine him with long hair, and in a dress, he could pass as a young woman, as beautiful as any of today's top, rail thin flat-chested models

did he choose it to be so?
does he even care?

Only you seem to.

beautiful singer, artist, poet.
beautiful boy.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 1:41 PM (EST)
My Score:

excellent album. prehaps not for you guys on this site but hey, youve made yourselves look like wankers so who gives a shit what you think.

Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2006-01-03 21:25:51

"I heard the cd and it sounds like someone without any musical talent trying to be bright eyes 2006."

You're dead wrong. Oh and Conor isn't as wonderful as everyone thinks. If the guy gets anymore hype you won't know where he ends and his publicity begins. He's NOT the next Bob Dylan, no one can be the next Bob Dylan. Wanker journalists.

I don't even like bright eyes, and i would've made the same comment 3 years ago before the press started hyping him. I never said anything about bob fucking dylan, I was talking about this guy really really badly wanting to be someone people adores, but he won't ever be because he has no real roots and knowledge about music, he's just randomly ripping people off, not even making it good.

Posted by Punkinohio on 2006-01-01 22:38:59

no offense, that dude does look like a douchebag... definately

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 9:28 PM (EST)

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 9:25 PM (EST)

Hmm, Patrick is wonderful. I don't much like this review, but Patrick is wonderful. But his best song isn't on this album, it's the Childcatcher. If you want freaky read those lyrics...

Posted by bjr on 2005-12-31 18:48:39

since when is he a douchebag just because he looks that way...you may not like his music but that is unjustifiable

Posted by darkstarm on 2005-12-31 11:35:50

Further developments on this douchebag, guys. Check out his "Christmas letter" http://www.patrickwolf.com/christmas05letter.jpg

Ahhhh this is hilarious.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 31, 2005 at 10:14 AM (EST)

great, now people are basing music on the way people look...would you listen to dillinger four even if they looked like him, or would you just write them off???

Posted by Godfather on 2005-12-30 21:04:56

never heard his music but i must say that he looks like an absolute douche

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 6:52 PM (EST)
My Score:

Yeah, this record is pretty damn good.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 2:26 PM (EST)
My Score:

i don't understand all of this negative feedback, this CD is fucking brilliant. Wolf's a genius.

you people suck xoxoxo

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 12:38 PM (EST)

haha
faggot review for fags

Posted by mcgregor107 on 2005-12-29 18:16:47
My Score:

hahahahaha

Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2005-12-28 19:20:24

I heard the cd and it sounds like someone without any musical talent trying to be bright eyes 2006.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at 12:01 AM (EST)
My Score:

I've never heard this, but I certainly do not want to after that review. And the album cover? Don't even get me started...

...evildeadalive

Posted by Foaming_97 on 2005-12-27 18:38:25

i've never heard of this... never heard of patrick w/e or anything until now but by looking at the cover i can tell it probably has no place on this website

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 5:13 PM (EST)

hah, do you have a poster of him in your local at school?

Dork.

Posted by skanknsmile on 2005-12-27 13:09:24

"He also keeps in touch with fans, not on a blog, but with a monthly letter he scribbles down on paper and scans onto his website."

quite possibly the worst and most open ended way to end a review. its like you forgot to put it in the body so you threw it in at the end.

Posted by Testiclese on 2005-12-27 12:01:30
My Score:

this cd reminds me of kenna. anyone ever listen to kenna?

Posted by darkstarm on 2005-12-27 11:49:53

I can imagine Patrick sitting solemnly at a piano surrounded by candles in a dimly lit room.

Sorry, what the fuck man!?

Posted by joeg on 2005-12-27 11:48:19

he's dreamy....sigh....

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 10:26 AM (EST)

He was ace supporting Bloc Party. Tristan is his best song.

Posted by darkstarm on 2005-12-27 08:44:35

what the hell is this shit? reading this review made me want to punch myself in the face. OH WAIT. i did.

Posted by Anchors on 2005-12-27 02:56:26

Man, I got nothin.

Posted by psychoos231 on 2005-12-27 02:07:30
My Score:

wahahaha

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 1:48 AM (EST)

Get a load of that dork.

-Will

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 1:27 AM (EST)

Uhh, what the fuck?