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The Artist - Word Wide Spies The Song - "Individual" The Album - World Wide Spies |
"...offers a fresh
fusing of an '80s sound laden with influences ranging from early A
Flock of Seagulls (with Paul Reynolds) to U2 to even The
Police.
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World Wide Spies is a brand new band just born in 2003. A cohesive chemistry and rounded talents permits rapid development of "big league" tunes like "Individual", the bands first single. A seemingly simple guitar riff reflecting The Cure melded with U2 quality percussion gives "Individual" a drive that is irresistible.
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Click here to visit the Official World Wide Spies Website
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Read on for a review of World Wide
Spies ...
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World Wide Spies has created quite a stir in the L.A. music scene. The boys have played numerous times at such venues as L.A.'s The Derby, Hollywood's Key Club, and The Good Hurt in Venice Beach. I had the fortune of seeing World Wide Spies in action at The Key Club in Hollywood. It's a jam, really, and if you're into this sound, what promises most is the energy that emanates from the combination of these four gents. They just come in and say, "OK, look, here's what we're doing," and assume you're there to rock along.
Easy for the 30-40 somethings to latch onto, World Wide Spies offers a fresh fusing of an '80s sound laden with influences ranging from early A Flock of Seagulls (with Paul Reynolds) to U2 to even The Police. Imagine AFOS sans the silly haircuts and the electric drum machine. These lads' songwriting has depth both lyrically and in sonancy. Performance is above par and the recording quality of their first independant release exceeds typical demo ambiance. In addition to the irresistible drive of "Individual", "Moving On" tosses in a reggae interlude and "The Heart" will have crowds shouting the anthem-like chorus.
Purchase of the DVD gains 4 tracks not included on the limited issue 4 track CD sampler. "Philosophy (Hey, Hey)" is a fast paced sprint and "Window" a fresh canvas still being painted. While the bulk of WWS may echo the days of 80s passed "Susan" presents a lead guitar driven 2K sound with hints of Punk. Lastly, "The Valley" is a tune about anyone who's ever had a dream of being someone or doing something big. The guitar breathes U2's The Edge and singer JFK delivers an excellent David Bowie tribute.
Despite their name, they don't appear to demand some politically-driven commitment or absurd allegiance from their audience, and that's always a relief. If you're interested in a short look into the creative and enthusiastic mind of one of them, read a take from their site, worldwidespies.com, and click on the diary spot, where tales of guitar pick-sharing and beer-swilling in tandem with none other than the blokes of General Public are told.
These guys aren't out to take over the planet, but in doing the music world a favor, they're providing listeners a good time with fine music and creating fun memories and an air of making new friends (the implication that we're all on the same globe, together). Keep listening over your shoulder. It's where the ears are anyway, and besides, it's the old-fashioned style even Bond uses, the best way to learn things anew.
Steve Pariseau
with special thanks to Morgan Field
Photography by Jennifer Montgomery Burgess, Maple Leaf Images