Wilder Maker "Male Models" CD/Transparent Dark Blue LP (2022)
Details: The new album from Brooklyn's Wilder Maker, "Male Models," available on CD (digipak format) and transparent dark blue vinyl. Guest vocalists include Adam Duritz, Felicia Douglass, V.V. Lightbody, Katie Von Schleicher, and Jordan Lee. "Their hooks are mighty,"--Pitchfork "rich textures... soaring vocals,"--Stereogum New stock, sealed.
Description: "Male Models succeeds in capturing the energy of a crowded party and its accompanying playlist without losing the philosophical underpinnings of its concept. Musically, it also changes shape constantly. Across the 12 songs of the album, listeners will hear electrified soul, heartfelt folk songs, indie rock, and searing barn burners, all of which are expertly tethered by Birnbaum's sardonic and doom-laden storytelling."
"Ask singer-songwriter, Gabriel Birnbaum, what inspired Male Models – the diverse new album from New York band Wilder Maker – and he’ll mention everything from American novelist James Salter and the NBA playoffs to Thin Lizzy and the delicate tightrope of positive masculinity. These reference points might sound arbitrary to the uninitiated listener, but together they provide some insight into the creation of an album that somehow succeeds at being both an apocalyptic novel of ideas and the most cohesive party playlist that you’ve ever heard.
The music of Male Models was recorded live over several days with a core band that consisted of Birnbaum and longtime collaborators Nick Jost and Sean Mullins. Despite his status as the frontman and principal songwriter of Wilder Maker, Birnbaum’s voice can only be heard singing lead on five of the twelve songs. The remaining tracks have guest vocalists taking the mic, unveiling an impressive lineup that includes (but isn’t limited to) Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz, Katie Von Schleicher, and Jordan Lee (aka Mutual Benefit). Like guests at a strange afterparty, when you hear these accomplished vocalists recount Birnbaum’s tales of unrequited love, drunkenness, and desperation, it feels almost voyeuristic, as if you were sitting in a crowded cocktail bar, sneaking glances at nearby tables."
Grade: M (new stock)
TRACK LISTING SIDE A:
A1. Letter Of Apology
A2. A Professional ft. Felicia Douglass
A3. New Anxiety ft. Mutual Benefit
A4. Static ft. V.V. Lightbody
A5. Surfers Trace ft. Yellow Ostrich
A6. All Power Must Remain Hidden
TRACK LISTING SIDE B:
B1. Scam Likely
B2. Silver Car ft. Katie Von Schleicher
B3. 5 Train
B4. Oh Anna ft. Adam Duritz
B5. Against Numbers ft. Katie Von Schleicher
B6. Jason
CD TRACK LISTING:
1. Letter Of Apology
2. A Professional ft. Felicia Douglass
3. New Anxiety ft. Mutual Benefit
4. Static ft. V.V. Lightbody
5. Surfers Trace ft. Yellow Ostrich
6. All Power Must Remain Hidden
7. Scam Likely
8. Silver Car ft. Katie Von Schleicher
9. 5 Train
10. Oh Anna ft. Adam Duritz
11. Against Numbers ft. Katie Von Schleicher
12. Jason