Although the Wondermints are the band who backed Brian Wilson on his orchestral PET SOUNDS tours of 1999-2000, the Los Angeles quartet aren't mere Wilson copyists. On their 1995 debut, compiled from three earlier cassette-only releases, they actually don't sound much like Wilson at all, other than a vague similarity between "Tracy Hide" and "Caroline No." Most of THE WONDERMINTS is lightly orchestrated, vaguely psychedelic pop pitched somewhere between FOREVER CHANGES-era Love and the more pensive side of Big Star. Singer-songwriters Darian Sahanaja and Nick Walusko seem more interested in moods than hooks, and so the subtle pleasures of the album might take a while to sink in, but when they do, you won't be able to forget them.
UK reissue of power pop god's debut album (actually compiled from three cassette only releases), 'ranks with 'Pet Sounds' and 'Rubber Soul'', according to power pop fanzine 'Audities'. Originally released in 1995. 1996 release. Standard jewelcase.
Reissue. Standard jewelcase.Uncut (9/01, p.92) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Exquisite, subtly-textured arrangements, liquid harmonies, baroque flourishes, intelligent wordplay and deliciously crafted songs..." Option (5-6/97, p.140) - "...implementing pulsing bass lines, surges of organ and intricate vocal passages that weave together to formulate an intelligent, yet tuneful, web of glorious euphony....beyond mere post-modern posturing, paying homage to their sundry heroes while forging their own identity along the path to maybe greatness."
A great sounding CD of well written rock! This collection of nostalgic-sounding tunes sounds great the first time you listen to it, and it gets even better with each playing. The songs all have a catchy 60's sound with a bit of 80's thrown in. "Proto-Pretty", the album's lead-off song, starts with a cool guitar riff reminiscent of Night Ranger's "Don't Tell Me You Love Me". "Fleur-De-Lis" keeps the groove going, followed by a soft, dreamy ballad called "Tracy Hyde", which is sheer beauty (oddly enough, Wondermints did an even better version of "Tracy Hyde" on WONDERFUL WORLD OF). It's easy to see why that song has been compared to the tunes on PET SOUNDS; it's that good. "She Opens Heaven's Door" is a beautiful, haunting 3/4 blues tune, followed by the snappy "Libbyland", containing some quirky and amusing lyrics. The remaining songs are all distinctive in their own way and make this a great CD, right through to the last track, "Carnival of Souls" another classic 60's style rocker. This CD is only available on import, but fortunately, the British release is reasonably priced...and well worth the money! Submitted by a reviewer (Eugene, OR, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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