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Album Details

• Artist: The Wrens
• Album: The Meadowlands
• Label: Absolutely Kosher
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-12-30

It's been a few years since The Wrens have dropped an album. Seven years to be exact. The Meadowlands is the first that I have heard of this band and I am glad for it. This is one of the most diverse albums to cross my speakers this year. The album starts off with a gentle track called "The House That Guilt Built" that doesn't really leave you with the right impression on what to expect throughout the album. The next track, "Happy" is more indicative of what The Wrens do. I am totally reminded of a gentle campfire song with "She Sends Kisses". "This Boy Is Exhausted" clips along at what seems like a fast pace but then you realize that it is just a little louder than the other tracks. On tracks like "Hopeless" guitars ring out like nobodies business. The Wrens is a gentle album but rocks out just the same. Songs seem to start out very gently and then build up to a beautiful climax. "Thirteen Grand" is as close to a ballad as you will find from these 40 somethings. The ever returning subjects of songs seems to be relationships. Did someone in the band have a hard time in the past few years and write some killer songs about it? You may hit your speaker when "Everyone Chooses Sides" hits on your playlist. It has a totally distorted sound to it but it remains listenable despite the distortion. The Meadowlands is a career accomplishment and The Wrens should be very proud of this album. And while they have been in existence since 1989, this is only really The Wrens third album. Let's see if they happen to have another left in them before they pack it in. I'll be on the lookout in 7-10 years.

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