Though Alexander Wolfe is not yet a household name, his latest album, Skeletons, is finding an audience in Australia and woos with raspy vocals, well-crafted lyrics and a style to rival Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
By SARAH BENNETT
Alexander Wolfe doesn’t have a huge presence in Australia. One of my friends keeps an ear out for upcoming UK singer/songwriters and introduced me to Wolfe’s debut album in 2010. I was immediately wooed by his raspy light vocals and well-crafted lyrics.
Describing himself as a “balladeer, noisemaker, schmuck”, Wolfe’s music is perhaps best described as folk acoustic and best compared to Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
With a loyal but relatively small public following, he has received significant critical acclaim off the back of his debut album Morning Brings a Flood – described by the New York Post as “the most beautiful album heard in years, period”.
His second album Skeletons is similarly beautiful and emotive.
Inspired by a string of dreams, it tells of things lost and remembered. “Lots of it is about people or places I’ve left behind or memories I’d forgotten,” Wolfe explains.
“Morning Brings a Flood was more conscious, Skeletons came more from my subconscious,” Wolfe says. “I went through a period of having these weird vivid dreams. I kept waking up in the night and scribbling down ideas & songs.”
The product is darker and more subdued than his first. Where Morning Brings a Flood was broken up with some lighter tunes and cheeky lyrics, Skeletons has a lonelier feel. But what it lacks in a catchy hook, it delivers in intimacy and emotion.
This is largely due to the simplicity of the recording. With the aim of capturing his ‘dream songs’ quickly, Wolfe moved into his empty family home to record in one weekend in November. With a guitar, some mics and co-producer Stan Kybert, each track was recorded in one or two takes, with Wolfe playing all instruments bar horns and strings. “We felt it was important to capture everything live in a couple of takes so it felt fresh & immediate. Let the lyrics do the work,” Wolfe explains.
Lyrics are definitely a one of his biggest drawcards and there is some fantastic poetry in this album. My favourite comes from In Broad Daylight; “the blue TV light flickers in a hollow mix of sympathy and scorn”. Lines like that paint scene and mood and are littered through Skeletons.
For me, there are some standout tracks. Horses was the first song that really drew me in. It is darker and grittier than the rest of the album, with deep accentuating piano and layered vocals.
The opening title track is most reminiscent of his debut album, with simple guitar, growing strings and the sad story-telling of an ending relationship.
My final favourite would be the closing track, Separated by a Smile. The song leads with gentle guitar strumming, haunting vocals and a distant trumpet. It is delicate but loaded with mood – a beautiful way to end the album.
Fans will be happy to explore another stunning album by Alexander Wolfe. For those new to his music – this is the perfect chance to get to know him. It gets a solid 8/10 from me.
Skeletons was released on 12 September 2012 and is available for purchase from Alexander Wolfe’s website in Mp3, CD or vinyl.