Album: What's the Time Mr Wolf?
Artist: The Noisettes
Website: Official Website and MySpace

"Just scratch your name into the fabric of this world before you go”. These lyrics, delivered with an impassioned urgency by lead singer Shingai Shoniwa, beautifully sum up the brand new album from UK based indie-rockers, The Noisettes.

With anger, aggression and attitude to burn, What"s the Time Mr Wolf is a frenetic collection of in-your-face music. It is the sound of youth, energy, and frustration. In a world of increasing complexity, violence and controversy, The Noisettes provide us with the anthems of today; anthems of longing, change and a zealous desire to make an impact on the world.

{mosgoogle right} The Noisettes, consisting of Shingai Shoniwa (vocals & bass), Dan Smith (guitar) and Jamie Morrison (drums), are one of the most inventive and unconventional outfits to hit the music scene in recent years. With a refreshingly uninhibited musical style and a vocalist with a voice just as cool as her name, the group have won over fans with their exciting, energetic tune. There are no rules, and no regrets; Shoniwa likens the group’s style to a jumble sale, commenting “There’s no real theme. Words are not my slave; sometimes it’s more about the way they sound, and the way you execute a note with it.”

While aggression and attitude are central to the band’s sound, they use their most effective elements sparingly. None of the tracks are over the top—there is a balance, with excellent use of light and shade in both instrumentals and Shoniwa’s vocals. For a trio of so-called ‘bad-ass kids’, the musical (and particularly lyrical) maturity displayed on the album is stunning. There is excellent awareness of when to show lyrical and musical restraint, to heighten the impact of the choruses, and when to go for broke.

Light and shade is what sets The Noisettes apart from other indie groups. While all the tracks maintain their energy from start to finish, the ability of Shoniwa to tailor her vocal delivery to suit the shifting moods and themes results in a duality of sounds; the lightness and longing of "The Count of Monte Christo" and "Bridge to Canada" on one hand, and the tear-it-up, attitude-to-burn style of "Sister Rosetta (Capture the Spirit)" on the other.

The group is well aware of the different sides to their music; their first offering was even titled The Three Moods of the Noisettes, highlighting the variety their albums inevitably deliver. The result is an album that—emotionally and musically — continually contradicts itself.  “It’ll shake you by the shoulders and make you throw up,” says guitarist Dan Smith, “then other times it’s really serene.”

Shoniwa echoes these sentiments, “Sometimes I think that makes the best song. If you can sing about something violent then I like the backdrop to not be violent, or if you sing about something really mellow it’s good if the music is really sinister.”  

The mix may be unconventional, and even unprecedented, but it works well to produce a musical and emotional depth to the album. There is so much more to What’s the Time Mr Wolf than mere violence or anger.

The first single from the album­ — "Scratch Your Name" — is perhaps the best song on the album (although, the tracks are of such a high standard, it’s difficult to separate them). With slamming guitar riffs, a foot-tapping beat and typically exquisite lyrics and vocals, the music will have you up and dancing!

"Bridge to Canada" is one of the slowest tracks, but no less effective. With lilting vocals and strong, flowing support instruments, the depth and emotion make this track one of the best as well.

What’s the Time Mr Wolf is not music for the faint hearted, but it is music for the masses, delivered with astute maturity and worldliness by this impressive London outfit. 

What more can I say? The Noisettes have delivered a splendid album, with a rich and full sound. This is music that demands attention, and it certainly deserves it. What’s the Time Mr Wolf has succeeded in scratching The Noisettes into the world’s musical fabric, and they look set to continue reshaping the music scene for some time to come.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."