The Wind Up Radio Sessions – Red Brick House

March 11, 2010 in Album Reviews

The Wind Up Radio Sessions started their musical journey in Dundas, Ontario, where brothers Dan and Marc Kiely began to write songs together as The Ewok Folk Sessions. After moving to our fair city of Montreal and meeting Matthew Lazenby, an Ex-Pat from the UK, the three like-minded musicians began composing songs together under a new moniker. And thus, The Wind Up Radio Sessions were born. After releasing an introductory debut EP, the band is now set to unleash upon the world their first full length, entitled Red Brick House (out later this month).

The album sweeps in like a warm breeze with the summery and light “Me and My Doe”. Swift guitars and lazy piano let us know that summer is here as Dan Kiely begins to sing, while the other two members of the band join in here and there with a spattering of backup vocals. This trifecta of vocals is one of the high points on this album. Song by song each member of this trio takes the reins at some point. For the most part, the brothers Kiely do the singing but on a couple of tracks we get to hear the recognizably British accent of bassist/guitarist Matt Lazenby, as he takes over on vocals. Not suprisinly, “Lazy Bee” and “Let Me Go” (the two tracks that Lazenby sings on) are two of the brightest moments on the album. One almost wishes to hear a bit more of his voice throughout the rest of the record.

While the album has it’s fair share of easygoing folk pop songs there are a few moments on the album that have the guys sounding a little bit more intense, giving the album a needed depth. “Nairobi”, perhaps the album’s most emotion driven song, is a perfect example. The tempo on this one is quicker and the guitars and vocals are a bit grungier until the chorus sweeps in with some truly lovely vocal harmonies. Another album highlight is “Photocopies,” on which each member of the trio takes turns on vocals while the almost organ-like keys bring to mind everything that has to do with summer.

Red Brick House is pretty much as good of a debut as you could ask for. Often you look back at some of your favourite band’s first albums and think to yourself how far they have come from their first outputs. It doesn’t seem like this would be the case with the Wind Up Radio Sessions, although we’ll have to wait for the next one to see if I’m wrong. For now I’m just hoping the weather continues to warm up which will make this album even more appreciable. – Greg Lozoff

Key Tracks: “Me & My Doe” – “Nairobi” – “Lazy Bee” – “Photocopies”