Album Review — The Wildhearts

The Wildhearts — Renaissance Men

British rockers The Wildhearts are back with a new record after a ten year layoff. “Renaissance Men” features ten tracks and is the band’s ninth studio album. The band has gone through numerous lineup changes but is back to “Fishing For Luckies” era of the band.

I had never heard The Wildhearts before this week so it took me some time to try and figure out their sound. The best way I’ve been able to come up with to describe them is a combination of Motorhead, 70s Glam and 80s Punk. It’s an interesting combination and their sound can change mid-song seamlessly from one to another.

The opening track, “Dislocated”, sounds like Motorhead for the first minute. Ginger Wildheart has a similar growl to Lemmy and it’s quite heavy. But the chorus turns a little more melodic and the next section takes another turn to something very different and then moves again to a more 70s Glam feel. It’s a cool song but a little hard to follow all the changes.

“Let Em Go” is up next and takes another turn to a heavy Dropkick Murphy’s sound.

“The Renaissance Men” is fairly melodic and a fun song. It’s fairly simple song with a nice hook. Very different than the opening track.

Other cool songs include “Fine Art of Deception”, a very punk-inspired song with lots of energy. And the nearly six minute “Diagnosis” that features a 90 second rock anthem buildup that leads to a Guns N Roses-type rocker.

I will say this isn’t the type of band I listen to a lot so it’s not an easy album to review. I really like the energy of the record. It’s very upbeat and rebellious but there is a lot more melody than I was expecting.

One reviewer referred to the band as “that impossible Beatles/Metallica angry/funny nexus”. It’s hard to imagine what that would sound like, but if you haven’t heard The Wildhearts, that’s a pretty good description.

If that intrigues you at all, you should give it a listen. It’s a little dark but still fun. It’s heavy at times but melodic. It’s punky with attitude with a tinge of 70’s Glam. Good luck trying to describe it, but you just might like it.

80 out of 100

Track Listing

01. Dislocated
02. Let ’Em Go
03. The Renaissance Men *
04. Fine Art Of Deception *
05. Diagnosis *
06. My Kind Movie
07. Little Flower
08. Emergency (Fentanyl Babylon)
09. My Side Of The Bed
10. Pilo Erection

*Best Songs