THE NOISETTES
What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf
Universal
· London rockers aren’t quite good enough for their front woman.
You only need two words to explain the buzz around the Noisettes – Shingai Shoniwa. However, without her vocals, the London rockers would still be an above-average band. Jamie Morrison packs as much energy into straight quarters as any drummer, and guitarist Dan Smith’s adroitness at shifting from skuzzy histrionics to subtle acoustics should make him a star. But What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf is clearly Shoniwa’s show.
It’d take a force of nature to keep up with her. Shoniwa infuses every vocal line with unbridled energy –she shrieks, squeaks and sings with a versatility that’s virtually unheard of in modern rock. There’ve been comparisons to Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but if O is electric, Shoniwa’s lightning. This isn’t hyperbolic – she’s that good.
Unfortunately, the actual songs aren’t. "Bridge to Canada" is a good example of what’s wrong. The start-stop spasms of the verses work well, but the chorus clunks when it aims to be anthemic. "I WE" finds the band abstracting its sound, but ends up hookless and more than a little grating. "Don’t Give Up" and single "Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit)" are both top-notch rockers, but the rest of the album struggles to match the standard Shoniwa sets.
What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf is more a promise than a statement. The band is good now, but when the band learns to keep up, or (maybe more likely) when Shoniwa steps out into the solo spotlight, expect it to be great.
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