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Fred Wines
"Overheard" CD
Low-Fi
/ Handmade Records
Genres: lo-fi, hometaper, rock
Feb 9 - 15 2004 |
Fred Wines is a dedicated hometaper (a là MJB, Don
Campau, Ken Clinger, etc) who runs the Low-Fi in The
Laundry Room series of CDRs on his very own Low-Fi/Handmade
label. Overheard is the eighth chapter in his collection, and in
true Wines tradition it features a selection of originals and
oldies covers all done on drum machine, electric guitar, and vocals. Overheard's best assets are its original pieces, which are
frequently quite melodic and pleasant, in a sixties/seventies-influenced sort of way. "Hitch-hiker" and
"Voices" are both very enjoyable tunes; the former, in
particular, has a
really convincing, subtly twangy chorus that sounds as if it could
have been popular, given a more hi-tech recording setup. The
fact that Wines uses the electric guitar for his lo-fi
concoctions is the perfect indicator of where his influences lay -
while many hometapers prefer making experimental soundscapes and short,
acoustic pop tunes, Fred is dedicated to rock n' roll. This can
work, as explained before, but sometimes ("What's Your
Excuse?") it can become bland and dry. Overdriven guitar
doesn't always translate well into a lo-fi climate.
Overheard's cover tunes are notable because they are
recognizable, but Wines' unusual arrangements often stray too
much from the point and become unpleasant. "Horse with No
Name," for example, is one of my all-time favourite tunes - but Wines'
rendition falls absolutely flat, losing much of the melodic charm that
makes the original so terrific. "L.A. Woman" shares
the same problems, but is somewhat better due to a speedy tempo and
some delicious electric guitar. Fred's limited vocal
range stymies its free-for-all sound, however.
This album is flawed, sure, but it's also a very spirited lo-fi
rock offering from a friendly, likable (though somewhat obscure)
hometaper.
79%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 16 tracks, distributed by the
artist, released 2003] |
