Album Review - Stepdad "Wildlife Pop"
There is now one less spot available on my Top 10 albums of '12. One of the highest positions on that list is now filled by the new face of synth pop, Stepdad and their new album, Wildlife Pop. I am not saying that to be sensational either. These guys are that good and if you aren't listening to them, your ears are seriously missing out.
I was introduced to Grand Rapids, Michigan synth rockers, Stepdad recently by composer Sam Hulick, and they instantly earned heavy rotation amongst my personal listening based on the strength and especially the tones of their EP, Ordinaire. The sheer originality of their complete, overall sound is what makes them so much fun to listen to, even when the lyrical subject matter trends into darker places.
You shouldn't read another word until you press play.
Produced by Chris Zane (Mumford and Sons, The Walkmen, Tokyo Police Club) who takes the reigns from Stepdad member Ryan McCarthy, Wildlife Pop is as strong a follow up to their debut EP as any band could want. Zane has not messed with the Stepdad formula either. If anything he's brought more out of the band.
As you can hear, Stepdad explores a deep, lush soundscape with multiple layered synthesizers leading the charge. Trying to pin a name on Stepdad's inspirations is baffling. They don't show their hand in this regard. Despite there being elements of 80's synth pop, Krautrock/Krautronica tonality and even chiptunes DNA in their aural arsenal, Stepdad truly doesn't sound like anyone current or historical.
Wildlife Pop features two of the strongest tracks from Ordinaire, "Jungles" and "My Leather, My Fur, My Nails". The former track was an inspired choice to include on their first full length release as it encompasses all the best parts of this band.
After being so impressed by Ordinaire I intentionally did not explore Wildlife Pop too deeply, instead saving most of it for this series of album reviews. Here are the (mostly) first listen impressions of each song from the album, along with a few added thoughts.
"Must Land Running" - And out the gate, @fancystepdad (as they are known on Twitter) brings more of what I liked so much from their Ordinaire EP. There's something so grounded in the real about their synth-driven sound. Lush production, bright tones yet human and filled with heart, not cold or mechanical.
"Jungles" - There is some utterly brilliant synth and guitar point-counterpoint from @fancystepdad going on in this one. This was the song that grabbed my ears so hard when I first listened to Stepdad. Thick drums, original sounding synth lines and expansive depth in the vocal production make for a wonderful listen. Plays wonderfully when cranked up loud.
"Show Me Your Blood" - There is something so original in Stepdad's synth sound. It's pop but not drivel. Nor does it sound dated. There are deep things going on in the lyrics.
"My incantations sound like a campaign speech
My trepidations pound
Throughout my strained reach
I will live without living
So take me back home let me know that you're human
Touch me and feel all the damage that you did
Show me you blood"
"Mystery in the Faking" - Great title. Props on the line "You must have gone from good to great When I had my back turned, You must have buried your mistakes And had all the maps burned". I've noticed each time I listen to Stepdad I get a huge smile. Their tonal palette has much to do with that.
"Will I Ever Dance Again" -The misplaced significant other the lyrics sing about is really wracking the protagonist. It is at this point I have to say the lyrics of ultramark and Ryan McCarthy prove that intelligent song writing is in fact, not extinct. Stepdad add "Will I Ever Dance Again"? to the pantheon of great unanswered lyrical questions.
"To Ribbons" - Bouncy synth pop awesomesauce. So much fun to listen to even if the lyrics trend darker. The delivery is a bit different on this one but it is a welcome change of pace with a great, prominent guitar line.
"My Leather, My Fur, My Nails" - Also found on Stepdad's Ordinaire EP. One of my favorite tracks actually. The carnival organ and Moog voices which open the song are utterly underused elements in synth music in 2K12. Thank goodness Stepdad has. There is such a ridiculous amount of hit single potential in this song. If only radio stations were programmed by humans, instead of algorithms.
"Pick & Choose" - The shimmering key line opening this one has chiptune DNA in it but does not sound video gamey. It does however stick out in my mind how original Stepdad sounds. And by original I seriously mean it. Trying to pin a name on Stepdad's myriad of inspirations is baffling me. They don't show their hand and frankly it's ok.
"Starfields on Earth" - Another brilliant title. Heavier on drums. There are some really sweet lyrics in this one. I love the lyrical message of this one. "Life is overwhelming, life is overwhelming Don't question your worth, we're starfriends on earth." +10 to Stepdad's Lyrical Brilliance stat. It was at this point in the live tweet review I suggested to the band that if "Hold on to the sunlight Stay away from the midnight" isn't on a tour shirt, it should be. Also worth considering that one for a future live release.
"Treasure Hugs" - Multiple synth tones across this one's opening minute. Some in the vein of chiptunes, some big and orchestral toned. This is another fine Stepdad example of marrying dark lyrical themes with bright and fun synth pop. You need to listen between the lines. It was at this point in the live review that there was one less spot available on my Top 10 albums of '12.
"Exploring" - What sounds at first like a gentler number is just a quiet, ambient opening which gives way to Depeche Modian synth hits on top of their trademark lush, electronic waves of sound.
"Warrior (Jungles Part II)" - As proper a follow up as a lover of the original song could want. Proving you don't have to be writing a concept album or musical trilogy to revisit a theme or concept, Stepdad creates a follow up song which doesn't sound anything like "Jungles" but the heart of it is there. Dear Other Bands, try this approach.
For only being together for three years, Stepdad display the songwriting cohesiveness of acts who've been together much longer. The deep, rich production of their synthesizers and non-electronic instruments is bafflingly unique. If you get on board with Stepdad now, you can say you've been listening to them for years. And yes, I am fully suggesting you be a hipster in this regard. Purchase the download, get a physical copy, just whatever you do, listen to Stepdad's Wildlife Pop, now.
For further listening, absolutely check out Stepdad's debut EP, Ordinaire.
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