It’s no secret that Pennsylvania is home to a bevy of rock heavyweights. Among the staggering list of musicians and artists that came from the Keystone State are Joan Jett (Philadelphia suburbs), Pink (Doylestown), Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor (Mercer), Poison’s Bret Michaels (Mechanicsburg) and many others. And that’s just rock. The working class atmosphere and sonic melting pot is perfect for a band like The Little Wretches to have emerged from Pittsburgh with its all-encompassing rock and punk hybrid. Since the late 80s, these rockers, led by singer/songwriter Robert Wagner, have crushed the local scene and have continued a national presence. Their new album is Undesirables and Anarchists.
PRIMARY URL: https://www.littlewretches.com/
One of the main incentives to listening to The Little Wrenches is their expressive lyrics. Wagner’s role as wordsmith fits him perfectly. Although the phrasing all my friends are undesirables and anarchists doesn’t pop up until track 10 (“All My Friends”), Wagner uses the tracks leading up to convey his wicked mix of icy, warm and even self-reflective wording. Wagner, who went through many lineup changes with his band over the years, settles on several themes, including escapism, facing adversity and never giving up. One gets the sense songs like “Give The Knife A Twist” is more about losing hope when dreams are lost (every broken dream gives the knife another twist, he sings, over an exhuberant percussion and electric guitar brew). You bet a broader sense of his reality, as an artist. He doesn’t sing with anger, per se, but he sings forcefully. You can tell all those years of playing for Pittsburgh crowds in a variety of stages transported itself to the studio. Whiskey laced, but sobering, his voice commands the listener’s attention.
Most of the songs are heavy with melodic guitars, modern in sound, with hints of alternative rock. A yearning harmonica in “Almost Nightfall”, solid bass work and percussion in all tracks and even whispers of piano in most tracks, keep the listener engaged. Joining Wagner on several tracks (and even singing lead on “Running (Was The Only Thing To Do”) is Rosa Colucci. Her voice’s dynamic against Wagner’s is the perfect yin-and-yang.
DEEZER: https://www.deezer.com/us/album/148918092?autoplay=true
With 12 total tracks, the other spotlight songs include “Morning”, an even-keeled tempo, where Wagner’s voice brightens. He’s a bit more romantic in this selection. I fell under your spell, he sings. I also really enjoyed “Who Is America”. Wagner, who also counsels youth in his community (as well as the abused, neglected and so on), paints an eye-opening scene of modern America. Down in the dirt, he sings of America’s working hard for their paycheck. Singing with the matter-of-factness of Lou Reed, “Who Is America” is a gem.
Finally, the Colucci-led “Running (Was The Only Thing To Do)” almost has a Wanda Jackson (“Shakin’ All Over”) vibe. Colucci’s pipes are rip-your-heart out level. She’s singing about moving on, and getting out of a situation or place. I found myself rooting for her and falling under the spell of the rock and roll music bed.
by Clay Burton, posted by Troy Johnston