‘The Classic’ is a daring title for any record, and is particularly bold when it’s accompanied by a shift in style. Here, Joan Wasser has given in to the delights of soul wholeheartedly for the first time.
Having temporarily set aside a working relationship with long-time producer Bryce Goggin, Wasser has thrown her lot in with Tyler Wood, who plays keys in her band, and attempted to recreate the grit and immediacy of a Joan As Police Woman live show in the studio.
It’s a formula that largely works beautifully, with the retro sound driven on by Parker Kindred’s busy drums, strings to match Wasser’s Bond villain paint job on the cover and the odd perfectly-timed collapse into all out noise.
This approach prevents ‘The Classic’ from ever tipping over into the realms of soul pastiche, while Wasser’s more exuberant, celebratory moments are tempered by lyrics that toe a line between romantic optimism and reluctant realism. “If you wouldn’t mind, we could be happy. So how about it?” she sings on the superb Get Direct.
Witness and Holy City are widescreen, brass-led hits, while Wasser lets her guard down to turn in expressive, bare vocal performances on New Year’s Day and Stay. She appears to truly be enjoying herself on the title track too, where doo-wop backing vocals combine with the beatboxing of comedian Reggie Watts.
It is true, though, that a few songs here, including Holy City, would benefit from a radio edit, while there are times when Wasser’s personality is shrouded by her influences. There’s nothing to suggest that this record is any less of a personal statement than her previous work, but it does arrive with a few more twists to negotiate. So, ‘The Classic’ isn’t quite a classic. But, if you’re shooting for the stars, sometimes there’s no shame in missing.
Sat March 15 2014 - NORWICH Norwich Arts Centre
Tue April 15 2014 - LONDON Village Underground
Wed April 16 2014 - LONDON Village Underground
Thu April 17 2014 - BRIGHTON Komedia
Sat April 19 2014 - LEEDS Belgrave
Sun April 20 2014 - HEBDEN BRIDGE Traders Club
Mon April 21 2014 - MANCHESTER Gorilla
Wed April 23 2014 - NOTTINGHAM Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Thu April 24 2014 - BRISTOL Thekla
Fri April 25 2014 - EXETER Phoenix
Sun April 27 2014 - GATESHEAD Sage 2
Mon April 28 2014 - GLASGOW Oran Mor
Wed April 30 2014 - DUBLIN Button Factory
Thu May 01 2014 - BELFAST The Limelight 2
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
![Bad Omens Detail 26-Track 'Concrete Jungle [The OST]' Project, Share New Track The Drain](http://cdn1.stereoboard.com/images/artistimages/50/tn_bad-omens.jpg)
