Wonderfuls – “Only Shadows Now” – [Bruit Direct Disques]

Naysayer   8/28/2016   12-inch, A Library

Robert Vagg writes the lyrics and sings the tales of woe, loss, remorse, emptiness, and missed opportunities, all in a slow, somber, drawn out voice, off key and sorrowful, too tired to try again, too tired to end it all, because continuous suffering of all the missed opportunities is possibly what feeds him and pushes him forward. Forever lonely and sad. God I LOVE this kind of stuff and I’m a sucker for that type of vocal. Put me in a cottage with the fireplace roaring while the storm pours outside and this sound filters through the room. UMMMM, yes. Dan McGirr and Natasha Buchanan complete the trio that is Wonderfuls, playing sparsely with guitar and synthesizer, quietly filling out the sound, fulfilling the sense of longing and sadness. I am reminded of Felt, Nikki Sudden and the Jacobites and, of course, Durutti Column. Light up a Djarum and sigh.