Genre - Hard Rock / Pop
Label - Round Records
Track listing:
01. Meet My Killer
02. Catch That Stranger
03. Saturday Matinee
04. Yorvik (My Hood)
05. Love Is
06. As Theodos Spoke
07. Boxes
08. The Answer Is Yes
09. Poundcoins & Kitchen Roll
10. Zap.
So it was little over a week ago
that Ginger Wildheart started teasing the release of a new album, then bang,
there it is titled Headzapoppin, available to pre-order straight away through
the Round Records website. The 10 track album will be released later this year,
but those buying it now will get an instant digital download. Now that has to
be the perfect way to get your Ginger fix on! Well as I have been a huge fan of
both Ginger and The Wildhearts since around 1992 and the controversial Mondo Akimbo
EP how could I resist? So what's the album all about? Well I will let Ginger
explain that himself,
Ginger says: “Writing
music is a form of therapy for me. It keeps my mind occupied and ensures that I
live in the moment.
“This album is a
collection of songs written while walking my dog Maggie on early mornings with
very few people around and tons of ideas not suited to either The Wildhearts or
my more rootsy solo albums.
“I figured if this
album merely pays for itself, through a modest amount being actually available,
then my work was worth it, and I subsequently will try to release one of these
mixed packages every year.
“As of now, before
anyone has heard this grab-bag of brain zaps, I have no idea if people are
going to love this collection of musical mutts or hate it.
“My work here is done
for now. Next stop, your ears. Wish me luck.”
The best way to describe the overall sound of Headzapoppin is that is more akin to
Gingers solo out- put prior too his Ghost In The Tanglewood and Pessimists
Companion albums. Giving the fans of Gingers work such as Valor, Yoni, Market Harbour,
555%, Albion and GASS a much needed fix, after his recent change in musical
direction where he has been following a more rootsy musical path. The album
opens with the excellent Meet My Killer. A great riff that
drops into some almost ethereal vocal melodies, and a great chorus hook line! A
great start to any album! Catch That Stranger follows, opening with a great melodic vocal melody before
breaking down into a great guitar driven track that wouldn't have sounded out
of place on either the Valor Del Corazon or Yoni albums. The refrain just
before the chorus also brings to mind Gingers Mutation project or even the
Wildhearts glorious Endless Nameless era for a brief moment, before the melody
of the chorus kicks back in. A great song!
Up next we have the simply beautiful and melodic Saturday
Matinee. A wonderfully soft track that I could have imagined easily
worked into something that would have fitted onto Gingers more rootsy Ghost in
the Tanglewood or Pessimists Companion albums. Once again a great song with
some great heartfelt and honest lyrics too! Next we have Yorvik (My Hood). The
song opens with a great bass line which leads into a little ditty where Ginger regales
us with a description of his neighbourhood. Once again a great song that
instantly worms its way into your brain. Love Is follows, a great song with a
darkish moody feeling, in which Ginger describes his views on love, both the
good and not so good points in a way that only Ginger can. A ballad of sorts I
guess, a fantastic atmospheric and moody song none the less. As
Theodos Spoke is strange little number. Opening with guitar feedback
and a stomping bass line before Ginger slightly distorted vocals kick in. The
song feels like its constantly building towards the chorus section. The best
way that I can describe this track is imagine a cross somewhere between How I
Won the Punk Wars from the 555% sessions and Gingers Mutation projects Frankenstein
Effect. Boxes is a great little melodic rocker with tons of pop
sensibilities thrown in. Next we have The Answer Is Yes, yet another great
melodic song that could have been a great Hey Hello track in my opinion. A
great singalong chorus and some atmospheric guitar arrangements. Love it. The
albums penultimate track, Pound coins and Kitchen Roll has to
feature some of the most down to earth introspective and honest lyrics ever
written! Once again a lovely simple melodic song that just works so well. The
album closes out with Zap. The track opens with a great
single guitar riff, with Ginger singing over it, before more guitars kick in
and the song explodes into life. Once again the lyrics are brilliantly honest
and down to earth!.
A great way to close out any album.
As previously stated Headzapoppin
provides a much needed fix, after his recent change in musical direction
where he has been following a more rootsy musical path.
Rating: 10/10.
Pre-order this great album here!
