ALBUM: Dominic Waxing Lyrical 'Woodland Casual'

Rating:

It is 1996. Take That have split up causing teenage girls worldwide to go into meltdown. Dominic Waxing Lyrical has just released Eponymous.

It is 2015. Take That are back together (sort of). Dominic Waxing Lyrical is releasing his second album, Woodland Casual. What a time to be alive.
Initially listening to this album, I’m thinking Ian Curtis has resurrected in the form of Dominic Harris, especially listening to ‘Colonial’. Second listen and I’m thinking, this is just another album from a midlife man telling us about his midlife problems – particularly ‘Nightwatchman’. Third listen to the album and I’m thinking it’s fucking brilliant. You could say this album was 18 years in the making, with much anticipation from fans.

Compared to other ’90s acts who have reinvented themselves in our modern music scene, Dominic Waxing Lyrical have kept his game simple, staying the same. ‘Ice Age’ from the first album is evidently similar to ‘Thursday (Searching)’ from this new album. That’s not a complaint, fans don’t always want a change when it comes to new albums. For those who have never listened to the band before, think Placebo on slow mo.

Dominic Waxing Lyrical has produced this album just in time for possible festival slots. It’s an album you would expect to hear on Radio 6 during festival season, with songs such as ‘Fly’ having that natural get up and bob your head vibe. Has this album been worth the wait? Most definitely.

The album tracks flow, having the upbeat ‘Colonial’ at the beginning to hook you in, but don’t think it’s all head banging from that point onwards. Slower songs that have more meaning than movement such as ‘Albert Terrace’ have that smooth guitar riff that you can easily sing a long too (in your best Scottish accent). Overall a brilliant comeback from the man.

Woodland Casual is released on February 2nd via Tenement.