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Wheat, "Hope & Adams" and "Medeiros"
Amazing what can be found from just surfing around on occasion. Afriend who is a huge Beulah fan once asked me to look at their labelSugar Free's website, and see what other bands recorded for the label."Any label that would sign Beulah has to have other good bands," hesaid. He couldn't have been more right. We listened to a few samplesfrom Wheat's second album, "Hope & Adams," and we were hooked. Itdoesn't hurt to have the involvement of Dave Fridmann, mind you. TheFrid-mann has the ability to bring out the best in every band. A greatfan of his work with The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev already, I knewthis would be a great release and ordered it immediately. What I gotblew me away. It's crafty pop with a primary message of loss, whetherof love or youth or what have you, with the standardbass/drums/guitar/vocal formula. Thanks to Fridmann, however, the bandplays nicely with electronics, bringing out a fuller sound with thebeeps and whistles. Well-placed piano lines on "Don't I Hold You" and"Body Talk (Part 1)" bring more strengths to the table. Wheat willnever have to worry about becoming tired: there's so much they can doto throw you a curveball. 
Being fond of this CD, I decided to give their first, "Medeiros," arun. Missing is the Fridmann influence, but the songs are still there,along with a healthy dose of nerves. Scott Levesque's vocals are moreechoey and subdued, bringing to mind the feeling that he's still notcomfortable with that role in the band. Songs like "Summer" and "GirlSinger" impress with their picturesque lyrics and directness (samplelyric from "Girl Singer": "I believe I'm touching you, 'specially whenI'm fuckin' you, but you're a little on the tenative side"). Somekeyboard appear now and then, but the album works best without them, asopposed to "Hope & Adams." Both good releases, and well worthtrying out. Look for their latest, "Per Second Per Second Per SecondEvery Second," also with the Fridmann influence, this fall.
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