Wolf & Cub - Science AndSorcery

Sun 19th Apr, 2009 in Music Reviews

Having had the good fortune to be viewed favourably by the venerable 4AD as they emerged from the Adelaide music scene, Wolf & Cub have had a tougher time of it since their debut album. After their adventurous EPs and fantastic live shows, Vessels was viewed as something of a letdown; a squandered opportunity.

In truth, it was a solid opening gambit by a promising band, yet an ultimately unsatisfying result. There was plenty of promise on show, but too much of the music itself fell into the trap of sounding not entirely unlike another band with – œWolf’ in its name, and owing a serious debt to 1970s rock.

Science And Sorcery is much more varied and broader in its approach. Certainly, a single like Seven Sevens touches on the psychedelic rock found on Vessels, but elsewhere the likes of Hearts pushes the envelope. It’s when the band are doing different things with their sound, such as on that number and the likes of Master, that they come into their own.

They’ve always had a rhythmic approach (as you’d expect of a band with two drummers as part of their line-up), but the best thing about Wolf & Cub is that they know how to use such a dual attack with dexterity. Instead of being overpowered by the beats, Wolf & Cub really let the melodic voice of frontman Joel Byrne guide the sound of much of Science And Sorcery in a way similar to mid-1990s English psych group Six By Seven.

On Science And Sorcery, Wolf & Cub both embrace the current musical climate, but also stand apart from what else is going on. They’re a fascinating group, and while Science And Sorcery isn’t the be-all and end-all, that’s also part of its appeal. Wolf & Cub are constantly developing and expanding upon the approach they take to music.

Science And Sorcery is out now through Remote Control Records.