Atmospheric rock with mildly warped layers of psychedelic expression. Stories that seem simple but hold a wealth of complex feelings and reflections – an easy going sway of a vibe regardless. Wilson Arms capture the sound of something timeless, with their creative album Heroes and Hangmen.
Hidden Treasures uplifts as the opener, and presents exactly as described above – only with its own clear sense of direction, and a certain performative playfulness to counter the implied depth of the memories at hand. It’s an easy to love sound at volume, but far from a clear indication of what to expect from this fairly diverse album.
Consider the marching swagger and short lines of Mission to Mars – a fresh mood, a recognisable style, something more intimate as opposed to arena-like and vast. The voice is familiar now though, the stories and scenes change gears quickly but maintain that sense of emotional presence – and this proves true throughout the Heroes and Hangmen album.
Featuring keyboardist Ben Wilson of Blues Traveler, and Rob Avsharian (Andy Timmons Band, Bobgoblin, The Adventures of Jet, The Julien Kasper Band, Disaster Relief), this project is as colourful as it is contemplative and inviting. The ideas are relatable but presented with a welcomed twist of originality and often fearless metaphor.
Lemmings is a great example, an impassioned and mildly theatrical story and song, with a dramatic musicality but a certain laid-back tone to again contrast any implied intensity. The song peaks with a quirky hook that’s rather alternative but anthemic once it kicks in – a definite stand-out moment.
Arrangement always matters, and the piano softness of Laughing at the Dark welcomes us into something a little Elton-like, with a brilliant topic and hook resolve. An emotionally loaded highlight, and a fine precursor to the equally uplifting title-track Heroes and Hangmen. Here we get the full scope and brightness of the live band, the poignancy and inspiration of the lyrics, and the powerful embrace of a finely-crafted groove and performance.
Just ten songs make up the full project, a worthy selection meaning that absolutely no filler or falseness is needed. We move into the funky and soulful aura of In A Box, an increasingly energetic set-up and delivery, before the euphoric synth-pop brightness of Bleeding Heart. Then for Houdini, a distinct piano and clap combo offers up a strong introduction, to a song that ultimately becomes something of a rock-opera explosion of uplifting moments and sounds.
Next To Me then softens the mood a little, an Americana ode to self-reflection and longing, with beautifully harmonised vocals, and another display of rising anticipation and energy that sweeps you off your feet.
After this, the closing track Let’s Talk brings about a kind of sultry, unplugged piano-pop ballad, only with long-form lyrics that captivate as ever for their vulnerability and willingness to go there. The song builds into a beautifully exhilarating hit, something that would amaze in the live setting, and which really lets you fall into the moment and escape from the ache of the rat-race quite intensely as the music rains down.
A rather sensational album, unpredictable but satisfying, creatively impressive, with fantastic lyrics, musicianship, and performances, all woven together for a perfect balancing of passion and unshakable precision.
Download or stream Heroes and Hangmen. Find Wilson Arms on Facebook & Instagram.
