Review: Wanderlust “Record Time”

Rock/Powerpop

The debut record from Philadelphia’s Wanderlust, “Prize”, has been on my “desert island” list since the day I heard it in 1995. Arguably one of the greatest pop rock records of the 90s, “Prize” pretty much marked the beginning and the end of this wonderful band. Despite the great collection of songs, huge airplay for the single “I Walked”, a tour with Collective Soul, and an opening act for The Who, “Prize” didn’t catapult the band to the superstardom they deserved. While fans have no doubt enjoyed lead singer/songwriter Scot Sax’s newer projects, which include solo efforts, Queen Electric (review here), and Feel (reviews here), and guitarist Rob Bonfiglio’s solo work (review here), they’ve surely craved a reunion and new music from Wanderlust.

Fast forward to 2012 and that moment has finally arrived. Produced by Barrie Maguire (Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant), the new album is called “Record Time” and features 11 new songs and a newly recorded version of “I Walked”. Sax opens with a question on the song “Lou Reed”: “How do you write a song?”, which must be rhetorical as these guys certainly know their craft. “Lou Reed” captures the sound and spirit of the Wanderlust of yore, satisfying the appetites of fans who waited so patiently for more pop gems like this. A number of other cuts like this stand out, including the catchy “Friend Tonight”, “Fork In The Road” (reminding me of Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy”) , and the gorgeous ballad, “Blow Away”. Some others that grow on you after a few spins include the melancholy down-on-your-luck anthem, “Easy Street” (“If I am on easy street I must be in the traffic jam”), and the gentle acoustic lullaby, “Like Stars”.

The band loses me on some atypically unmelodious tracks near the end, such as “Photographic Mind” and the monotonous “You Make Me”. While I don’t foresee “Record Time” joining my desert island list, it is a welcome return that leaves me wanting more.

Wanderlust – Official site.

Review: Queen Electric “Queen Electric” [EP]

Pop rock/powerpop
Queen Electric is the latest project to come from singer/songwriter Scot Sax, who is widely regarded as a hero in the indie pop rock world. Sax has fronted the bands Wanderlust and Feel, each of which has left us with masterpieces of powerpop. Rounding out the Queen Electric trio is Phil D'Agostino on bass and Mike Pietrusko on drums.

Sax has a distinctive vocal tone and a knack for harmonies in the neighborhood of Jeff Lynne and ELO that are front and center on this record, so fans of his earlier work are bound to enjoy Queen Electric. The self-titled debut release is a 7 song EP that offers a little something for everybody. Opener “Gonna Let You Down” serves as a great way to kick things off. One of the more rocking tunes, “Gonna Let You Down” is designed to pick you up and it quickly became my favorite. Things slow down a little too quickly with “As You Make Me Out To Be”, but the Beatles vibe permeating “Maybe You’re Lost” is rejuvenating. “Everything I See” is a pleasant mid-tempo number driven along by a crunchy guitar riff. “Day After Night” has a bit of an island feel with its bouncy piano, jubilant horns, and “wah-oo” backing vocals. The EP closes on a softer note with the beautifully reflective piece, “Happy Where You’re At”, which is my second favorite in the batch.

Queen Electric – Get it here.

The Best Albums You Never Heard

By Kurt Torster

Feel “Feel” (2002)

There are some albums that you just know from the very first crashing riff that it’s going to be something special.

Formed from the ashes of cult power pop bands Wanderlust and Bachelor #1, Feel was just one of those bands that, for a fleeting moment in time, released one of the most perfect power pop albums ever laid down. Not a note wasted, not a melody out of place. It’s crunchy when it needs to be, jangles otherwise and knows how to pace itself with the occasional introspection. It’s like the Foo Fighters decided to be as pop as they could be and enlisted the help of Paul McCartney circa “Band On The Run.”

What could have been a cross genre smash album sadly amounted to very little. Songs like the blistering “Won’t Stand In Your Way” and “Until They Close The World” could have ruled summer rock radio and beyond, while the more laid back “Under The Radar” and “Girl In A Raincoat” are the kinds of songs that these days are all over country radio. Throw in the sure-fire yet not quite hit “I Am The Summertime” and you’re left with an album that demanded repeat play.





I know Feel released a few more miscellaneous albums, EPs and tracks over the years and while all are pretty good, nothing came close to matching the punch and power of this set. Leader Scot Sax also wrote some songs for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, but beyond that I know very little of what the band is up to lately. Shame really, because the staleness of the power pop scene could use a little kick in the ass right about now.

Scot Sax is now recording again with Wanderlust – throw them a bone to get it done at http://www.feedthemuse.net/wanderlust

Review: Feel "Steps to Reach A Human"

I am now convinced there is something deeply wrong with a world that does not let a brilliant singer and songwriter like Scot Sax rule the music world. Scot is the mastermind behind some of the greatest power pop and rock records in the last decade or so, whether they be by Wanderlust, Feel, or his solo work. I dare you not to feel better after putting on a Scot Sax record when you are feeling down.

"Steps to Reach A Human" is Feel's third release (2006), and contains 12 more tracks of their trademark jangle-pop sound and spot on harmonies. Most are acoustic-driven nuggets of sunshine that stick in your head for good after one listen. This release is a must for fans of the Jayhawks or the Thorns, but don't get the wrong idea...Feel is more pop rock than alt country.

As with virtually all of Feel's stuff, I cannot find a track that I don't like! But the stand-outs for me include "Pattern", "All Things To Everyone", and "Warm It Up".

I've noticed a trivial mistake on my CD and wonder if it holds true for all of them: songs 6 and 7 are reversed on the CD, as are tracks 9 and 10.

iPOD-worthy: all tracks!

Feel on MySpace. Scot Sax on MySpace.
Scot Sax - official site.