The Wednesday Society -Red Means Go (single)

Sat 29th Jul, 2006 in Music Reviews

As debut single by The Wednesday Society ‘Red Means Go’ starts to play, I am utterly convinced that I’ve put The Mint Chicks’ Anti-Tiger EP from 2004 on by mistake. But alas, I have not. Despite the use of a colour and the word “go” in the title, ‘Red Means Go’ sonically resembles The Mint Chicks’ ‘Blue Team Go’. This introduction to the all male Perth band is highly discouraging, having heard such rave reviews about them.

The Wednesday Society’s and The Mint Chicks’ songs both contain simplistic lyrics and would be identical but are set apart by their obvious influences, Fugazi and The Ramones, respectively. Vocally, The Wednesday Society’s articulation and blandness in pronunciation resembles Ian MacKaye’s a little too closely. However, in spite of these obnoxious comparisons, the song is fairly enjoyable, nothing new, but competently executed. There is great tension built by the guitars and the one-dimensional chorus is actually quite gratifying.

The b-side, ‘Can Can’ is far more catchy and superior to ‘Red Means Go’. The song pulsates, containing more hooks and bounce. The singer’s voice this time around is akin to Isaac Brock’s of Modest Mouse. There is varying intonation, extra creativity and overall the song is more animated. The lyrics are credible and the tempo throughout constantly varies. Additionally, the one minute long instrumental halfway through ‘Can Can’ is sublime, distinctive, and highly impressive. This boldness on behalf of The Wednesday Society really makes this b-side one to remember, and possibly more so than the title track.