Prince Albert, 7th October 2009
Super groups seem to be everywhere at the moment. Josh Homme has teamed up with Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones for Them Crooked Vultures, Jack White and Alison Mossheart are still mixing things up with The Dead Weather. Why, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was the seventies all over again.
We Fell To Earth are the latest super group (of sorts) to appear on the collaborative landscape. Bassist Wendy Rae Fowler has worked with the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age on their infamous ‘Desert Sessions’ albums whereas singer and guitarist Richard File’s previous efforts include sessions with James Lavelle, head of Mo Wax records and one half of psyche-dance duo U.N.K.L.E.
It goes without saying then, that with such diverse (not to mention highly acclaimed) musical backgrounds, this band is subject to high expectations and conversely was always going to be subject to some pretty blunt critiques.
So here it is. As refreshing a breath as We Fell To Earth’s mid-tempo ambient electronica is in today’s over-produced and hyper-commercialised musical climate, I couldn’t help but feel as though I’d heard it all before. Their influences may be eclectic, but the resulting amalgamation of Fowler’s classic rock heritage and File’s highly characteristic yet ultimately samey vocals leaves a few things to be desired. As important as movement as it was, Krautrock has been and gone and the linear nature of We Fell To Earth’s songs mean that once you’ve heard thirty indistinct seconds, you’ve heard it all. Their closing song (and upcoming single) ‘Deaf’, offered the pay-off I needed, a chord progression that actually went somewhere, yet I still can’t remember a single lyric, a crucial ingredient if you ask me.
Having walked away, I couldn’t help but wonder whether perhaps I’m just too hook orientated. WFTE’s panoramic ambience would be amazing if it were on a festival main stage in the dead of night. But in the intimate confines of The Albert, I’m afraid to say I was left uninspired.
Words by James Watts
Photography by Gus Manzano
myspace.com/wefelltoearth
What did you think of the gig?
(Left to right)
Geoff: “They were amazing! They’ve got their own sound. It’s not really chill-out and it’s not too heavy. It would be perfect for film soundtracks”
Ollie: “The male and female vocals worked really well together. Really enjoyed it!”
Bex: “Really great soundscapes that completely filled out the venue, although I think the songs could do with a little more diversity”
Kai: “I thought it was great. Really good sound, great gig! There were a couple of tracks that I thought were really amazing.”
