When it was released in 2005, Wolfmother's eponymous debut was
exactly what rock & roll needed: a meaty, beaty, big and bouncy
genre resuscitator that not only broke through to the mainstream,
but broke big. Wolfmother was certified Gold in the States and
Triple-Platinum in the band's Australian homeland. Lead single
'Woman' hit top ten on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks Chart and won a
Grammy for 'Best Hard Rock Performance.' Their songs became
ubiquitous, appearing in films (Shrek, Jackass, The Hangover),
video games (Need For Speed, MLB: The Show, Saints Row) and
television commercials (Apple, Mitsubishi). No wonder Rolling
Stone named it one of the best albums of the year.
Led by vocalist/guitarist Andrew Stockdale, Wolfmother have
amassed a global fanbase, played to packed-house crowds around
the world, delivered show-stealing sets at star-studded festivals
like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Reading and Leeds, and have been
invited to share stages with rock icons Aerosmith and AC/DC. For
their induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, Led Zeppelin
personally invited Wolfmother as their guests (the band showed
their appreciation by delivering an electrifying cover of
'Communication Breakdown'). For most artists, such
accomplishments usually mark the culmination of a career if
they're lucky.
But ten years after their arrival, Wolfmother have returned with
what could arguably be called their best work to date. With
Victorious, Stockdale once again arrives right on time: in an era
dominated by single-song downloads, this is an album worthy of
repeat listens from top to bottom. Following 2009's Cosmic Egg
and 2014's New Crown, the much-anticipated Victorious (Universal
Music Enterprises) is an electrifying testament to the range and
depth of Stockdale's artistry. Recorded at Henson Studios in Los
Angeles with two-time Grammy winning producer Brendan O'Brien
(Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Bruce Springsteen), the songs are edgy,
inventive and uncompromising and rank among the band s best ever.
The first single 'Victorious' swings from a propulsive riff and
pronounced drum stomp into a gargantuan, triumphant vocal hook.
'I bought this weird-looking eighties metal guitar,' he recalls.
'It just looks hilarious and I was playing all of these riffs for
20 minutes, pairing them with drums. The lyrics came out of
nowhere. It felt so natural. The words had a certain ring to
them.' The album announces itself with 'Love That You Give,'
tempering a rousing and raucous riff with a soulful vocal refrain
and vibrant lyricism. 'I had a couple of drinks and started
writing,' he says. 'By the end of the day, it was done. Nothing
changed from the demo. The lyrical theme is, 'How do you react to
adversity or difficulties in life?' You try to be proactive and
put something positive back into the world instead of buying into
other people's aggression, negativity, or hatred. You're
counteracting emotions that get thrown at you.' For the cinematic
'Pretty Peggy,' he strips everything down to an acoustic guitar
and delicate beat, then illuminates his dynamic range over the
sixties-style strut and handclap of 'Best of a Bad Situation.'
About the thick-grooved 'Gypsy Caravan,' Stockdale says, 'the
title references the transient lifestyle. When people finish high
school, they want to backpack around the world. When people
retire, it's the same thing; they want to get an RV and ride
around. Things are constantly moving. There's a romantic notion
of the musical life, but wanderlust truly unites all of us.'
Ultimately, Victorious is meant for the road - that's where
Wolfmother roars to life.