Check Out The Hair On Those Dudes

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on May 18, 2006 6:16PM

The recent inclusion of Wolfmother’s “Love Train" in the latest iPod commercial is sure to attract loads of folks who would have otherwise remained in the dark about this Australian trio’s wicked rock tunes. While we have been accused of being somewhat elitist in the past, sometimes we are all for folks jumping on the bandwagon. This is one of those times.

We’ve been spouting off just how much we love this band since last year’s release of the group’s Wolfmother EP. Their debut album, available only as an import at the time, made it on our list of the best albums of last year with a coda bemoaning the fact that the U.S. audience was being denied the LP’s irresistible charms. And we were all over our friends to pick the disc up when it finally saw a Stateside release earlier this month.

Chicago is still trembling in an awe remembered from their February appearance at The Empty Bottle, and tonight the band returns to play to a presumably much larger audience at The Metro. Newcomers should be apprised of a few basic facts that they may not have gleaned from the slightly uncharacheteristic sound of “Love Train” that will probably get them out to tonight’s show in the first place.

First of all, the group looks kind of funny, but that is a-ok since white-boy afros are officially back “in.” Secondly, singer Andrew Stockdale’s voice bears more than a passing resemblance to pipes a la Ozzy Osbourne circa 1972. This is also a-ok. Thirdly, the group’s tunes massively crush as they're carried along but steamrolling guitars and stoner-boogie drums. The band isn't afraid of -- and find no irony within -- organs, flutes or images of half-naked women consorting with dragons and faeires either.

God bless 'em.

And, while the band certainly has cultivated a certain image based around their music, there is nothing premeditated or prefabricated in the songs themselves. So fire up the Camaro, tease out your locks and check out tonight’s party, but remember to bring your own black-light and fire up the bong before you enter the club since The Metro is now a “no smoking” establishment.

Well, at least it will be until Wolfmother fries everyone's minds.