ALBUM OF THE WEEK: 05.06.11

WIM 
WIM
Modular/Universal
4 STARS

If it was possible to get Simon and Garfunkel, Ziggy Stardust and Grizzly Bear jamming some tunes together in a forest — let’s make that a forest in gypsy lands like Romania or Hungary — it might explain a little of the interesting sound of WIM.

While the Sydney five-piece has been seemingly under the radar since they formed in 2007, their debut album that was recorded and mixed by Bob Clearmountain (Springsteen, Roxy Music, INXS) in Los Angeles and is being released on cool label Modular means it won’t be too long before you hear and see this outfit everywhere.

Apart from the classic charm of the songwriting and the beautifully executed instrumentation, what will warm you most to WIM is the vocals of frontman Martin Solomon, whose rich, deep voice serenades with just a hint of eccentricity.

Gentle glam-folk melodies like See You Hurry will have you drifting off to a better place with Solomon joined by a choir for some romantic four-part harmonies.

On the ballad, John, things become more haunting with accordion and soft drums and imaginings they’re drowning their sorrows around a campfire with a bottle of red.

But mostly the vibe is uplifting with lots of piano-led melodies and soft rock stomps that are never excessive and just perfectly delivered.
RACHEL DAVISON