(Self Release)
Minneapolis-based Wookiefoot may be a bunch of hippies, but their music eludes the term \jam.""
Sure, they have moments of musical doodling but they keep it short and sweet, avoiding the overly ambitious and drawn-out yawnfests that their contemporaries so often find necessary.??In fact, their unique blend of musical herbs and spices does not lend itself well to categorization at all.??The band is known for its forays into genre-busting, seamlessly incorporating everything from rap, jazz and funk to rock, blues and punk into one infectiously catchy package.
On their third release, , Wookiefoot continues on its harmonious roadmap.??The schizophrenic musical tendencies of the band are highlighted by bouts of hyperactivity.??With 18 tracks, none of which hit the five-minute mark, the album clocks in at less than an hour and keeps up listener interest.?? Even at its most serious moments the album never fails to entertain with its free-flowing, tripped-out and often purposeful energy.
Written while the group was in Costa Rica, draws much of its inspiration from the political and social injustices the band has often spoken out against.??Wookiefoot covers a lot of issues, including American excess, the effects of the media on female self-image and cultural imperialism.?? Intermingling with these messages is the band's Taoist philosophy of non-conformity inspired by the likes of Ken Kesey and Shel Silverstein.
The album contains little to no filler material, save for a few intros and sample-laden interludes.?? There are, however, a few tracks that really stand out above the rest.??""This Is Not A Test"" comes out of the gate recalling memories of Sublime before segueing into ""So Right Here"" with a jazzy breakdown eerily reminiscent of one of the themes from ""The Cosby Show.""
""Kegger"" has a reggae-meets-classic-rock sound while lyrically dealing with the underlying loneliness and misery of house parties.?? While quite possibly being the strongest track on the CD, the message in ""Kegger"" will undoubtedly be lost or misinterpreted by the band's party-happy target audience.
is a refreshing change of pace from the minimalism of the garage-rock trend. The musicianship is high caliber and the songwriting far above-average, even if some listeners may find the message to be preachy at times.?? However, the real power of Wookiefoot lies in their frenetic stage show. Sometimes, it is the show that often overpowers the music itself, making picking up the CD essential.
