West Indian Girl Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
For the uninitiated, West Indian Girl are not a reggae band, and for those who haven't been paying attention, they aren't an electro-studio duo anymore, either. With 4th & Wall the twosome has expanded to a sextet with the addition of live bass, drums, percussion, and guitar, further swelled by a host of guest musicians, greatly extending WIG's aural vistas and influences -- which now span the musical spectrum from synth pop to classic rock, from new wave to techno. A Keith Richards-ish guitar lick enlivens the infectious "Get Up," echoes of "Free Bird" soar in the finale of "Sofia," the Soup Dragons' spirit swirls around "Lost Children," and Echo & the Bunnymen's moody atmospheres pool around "To Die in LA" and "All My Friends." On the irresistible "Solar Eyes," the group juxtaposes bubbly synth pop against a lusher new romantic style and a four-on-the-floor disco beat, then stirs in spacy effects and a funky feel. Sadly, though, the set's sequencing is a bit slack, occasionally making for jarring shifts in styles between tracks, which is a shame, because in reality 4th & Wall is actually a quite coherent album. This is particularly evident in the songs' themes, which revolve around the lure of L.A. and its nearby beaches, as well as more universal interpersonal subjects. It's equally true of the music, even as the band drifts from gentle soft pop through Boston-styled keyboard rockers, the hefty space rocker "Rise from the Dead," and upbeat dance tunes. The styles may change and the atmospheres alter from languorous to driving, but what remains constant are the lilting vocals, strong melodies, and psychedelic keyboards that remain the core of WIG's sound. The pumping "Blue Wave" was the first number selected as a sound clip, but the new wave-ish "To Die in LA" and the breezy "All My Friends" would have worked just as well, while "Solar" should tear up the dancefloor. Like West Indian Girl's California home, the band's music is an exhilarating experience, and a fabulous place to lose one's self. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
'West Indian Girl'
Release Date 8/24/2004
Tracks 11
Label Astralwerks
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
West Indian Girl are a Los Angeles-based duo named after an infamous strain of LSD. It's important to clarify this right at the top, as Robert James and Francis Ten's relationship with mind-altering paraphernalia is the guiding principal of their self-titled Astralwerks debut. "Alone on a hill in the summer time/You could dial your mind/And listen to thought made young and pure," James creaks on the opening "Trip." Though "dial your mind" sounds like stilted drug lingo written by out-of-touch Hollywood screenwriters, West Indian Girl at least seem content with their druggy derivations. "What Are You Afraid Of" looks to vintage Verve for inspiration, while "Visions" is a too-brief throwaway of watery Logan's Run sound effects and sleepy harmony gobbledygook. The single "Hollywood" connects Kraftwerk's autobahn hum to California freeway sunlight, and "Northern Sky" is a satisfying Britpop/Grandaddy/Kate Bush mind meld heightened by some nice accompaniment from an uncredited female vocalist. Laconic, occasionally electronic, and informed with the sunny strumming of California pop history, West Indian Girl will find favor with hookah enthusiasts. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
