I bought this because;
- It was $1;
- it was an indie release;
- from the 80s;
- from
- it vaguely looked like it could be rootsy rock or cowpunk given the bands name, the album title, the B&W photos and the flannelette and gingham(?) clothes ….
Looks can be deceiving.
The music is not remotely roostsy or cowpunk but is in fact radio friendly college indie pop of the 80s, albeit with a Midwestern bent.
There is nothing wrong with that: REM, Let’s Active, Guadalcanal Diary and many other bands were more or less of the same scene.
“Waves of Grain” hedge their bets though and try their hand at most of the indie pop sounds of the time : jangle, art, acoustic, funk and a fair bit if quirkiness (like Oingo Boingo or Timbuk 3 perhaps).
They perhaps most remind me of Big Bam Boo (a half Canadian, half English duo) and their 1987 LP, The Everys ( a Australian folk pop band) and their album, also from 1987, and The Proclaimers (The Scots duo) and their album from, err 1987.
All of these postdate this album. Did “Waves of Grain” start something?
I don’t think so as the indie sound was well established.
Their indie pop is happy, sunny and slightly “rural” with lots of jangle and harmonies. Also, the music is relentlessly upbeat with an almost Christian music exuberance….which of course is at odds with the rural realities in Regan’s
“How the West was Fun” ?!
There is bugger all on this band (or album) available but see links.
I might add that the band aren’t being dishonest with their image ….their “Waves of Grain” name and country styled clothes accurately reflect stereotypes of the Midwest including the music which is partially the sound they are trying to recreate.
Some of this is fun… but in small doses.
The biggest problem is the production – the album is woefully under produced …the sound is murky making everything sound hollow and on low voltage. It’s not low-fi it’s just poorly produced or mastered. It’s a pity.
Tracks (best in italics)
- How The West Was Fun – the melody reminds me a little of The Call’s “Modern Romans” – the Walls came down. But otherwise it’s acoustic jangle with multi harmonies, chants …not unlike The Unforgiven.
- Kelly N.S.A. – This bouncy love song sounds like something I can’t remember or maybe I want to forget.
- She Must Be in Love – some unwanted electric guitar appears …this is pure college indie before grunge and rock made a resurgence ….
- Kinetic Passion – the vocals are sounding more girl like, and there is a “funk” being introduced. This reminds me of dozens of awful 4ZZZ (a
- Catch Me I’m Falling – a strange song with a bit of everything in it – pop, some quirky guitar, nice harmonies.
- She said Yes – quirky guitar in this song warning of the pitfalls of dating ….
- When I said "I Love You" (Marie Marie) – pop and reasonably catchy – pity about the trad squealing cat guitar solo.
- Horizon Cinema – crappy filler
- Upstairs where the air is better- attempt at an arty low key ballad – dull.
And …
Like I said …. Some of this is fun… but in small doses. Sell.
Chart Action
Nothing no where
Sounds
How The West Was Fun
attached
Waves of Grain – How The West Was Fun
Others
—
Review
http://wilfullyobscure.blogspot.com.au/2008/10/waves-of-grain-west-was-fun-1985.html
a very perceptive review:
http://recordrobot.blogspot.com.au/2007/07/nostalgia-for-age-yet-to-come.html
Bio
http://www.dannolte.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1946
Website
—
Trivia
- Stonegarden records was a label run and owned by the LA jangle band Pop Art. “Even though it may be the right time, it’s not easy for the band to tour. All the members of Pop Art either work or are in school. In addition, there is Stonegarden Records, the record label run by the group. While hardly on a par with other band-run labels such as Black Flag’s SST, Stonegarden is slowly building a following and has released records by Waves of Grain, the Stingrays (from Santa Barbara) and Fields Laughing (from San Francisco).” http://articles.latimes.com/1986-01-19/entertainment/ca-960_1_college-radio
