WOLFY -- "SAINT-EMILLION"

By Rick Zeigler

Indianapolis-based Wolfy's 2006 EP release, Bel Canto, gave promise of big things to come from this group. It's piano-driven rock sound combined with strings and great vocals provided a high point for that years releases on the local scene. Now, with the release of Saint Emillion, their first full-length, Wolfy shows that Bel Canto was no flash in the pan. The group, comprised of Greg "Wolfy" Johnson on piano, synths, and vocals, Josh Hedges on bass and vocals, and Matt Wilson on drums, yields a surprisingly full and rich sound for having only three main members. This is due not only to their own instrumental prowess, but also due to their continued use of a full string section, including multiple violins, viola, cello, and contrabass (not to mention a full vocal chorale on the album's closer). The result is a record full of rich textures, driving beats, and, most notably, Johnson's gorgeous, almost androgynous vocals and harmonies. Saint-Emillion's opener, "Stars," finds their standard piano, bass, and drums grounding surrounded by keyboard and synth washes, all tied to a string of beautiful melodies that encompass all parts of the song, be it verse, bridge, chorus, or middle eight. Fantastic harmonies end up driving the nicely textured chorus to a grand conclusion. "Perfume and Lace" follows, with piano and a stuttery drum beat laying the foundation for another outstanding melodic vocal from Johnson. Dynamic orchestration provides further dramatic texture. "Why Don't You Understand" uses a percolating synth and pounding tom-toms to provide a subtle change-up in sound. This is followed by the title track, which contains just a few repeated vocal lines that gain their power from the strength of Johnson's voice and the melody he has written. Indeed, if it seems this reviewer keeps coming back to the words "vocals" and "melody" it is simply because Johnson and his band know this is their strength and use all available means (including the aforementioned strings) to bring these elements to the fore. Sounding at times like Coldplay, at other times like Sigur Ros, Saint-Emillion never lets up on projecting a melodic intensity that is completely riveting, and Johnson's voice is certainly among the finest currently gracing our fair city.