Just last year I got to see Japandroids for the first time at The Echo. They had not played in America for over three years. Show was sold out and I made a day of it Los Angeles before seeing them. It was a special day.
That night I got see, hear, experience new music from the band. Even then I felt some of the criticism I’ve read in the media.
“Near to the Wild Heart of Life” was the third song of the set and first time they ever played it in America. My first thoughts were “Bruce Springsteen?” They always seemed like the kind of band that came from the same place as Springsteen.
Dive bars, cheap beer, cigarettes, and leather jackets personify what I like about the band. Springsteen came from this place too but started breaking away from that on Born to Run, and then completely departed on Born in the U.S.A. Now Japandroids have followed this trajectory. I think what the media has missed however is that this is natural and the music is still compelling.
They can’t be that small club band forever. Their popularity has grown too large. These new songs fit a festival better than The Echo, where I saw them. I had to hear the title track a few times to understand what they were going for. Singer/guitarist Brian King moved from his hometown of Vancouver to Toronto. King borrowed the title from authors Claurice Lispector and James Joyce.
Near to the Wild Heart of Life represents leaving adolescence beyond and moving forward with our own individuality and independence. Boyhood is over. We’re in our adulthood now. Speaking for myself I want the responsibility.
After a few listen now, the album and title track reminds me of my own personal growth over the last 12 months. Most of the record intimates coming of age.
It’s drastically different from Celebration Rock or Post-Nothing in respect its theme. You can’t sing about PBR’s and singing with your bros forever. Eventually you leave and try creating your own legacy. I think Wild Heart acknowledges these changes and it’s reflected in the pace, energy, and even the arrangement of the music.
While the title track was an exodus, “No Known Drink or Drug” debuted right after and defused any doubt about of regression. Audience members started rustling around, pogoing with arms around each other. It was a celebration.
They only play three chords on the song and that’s a testament to who Japandroids are. It’s just two men, a guitar, and drums. All they needed was the previous two sentences.
Most of this album sounds very Americana, think Springsteen and John Mellencamp. Seasoned, aged, marinated well. Wild Heart was written and recorded between 2014-2015. Five weeks was spent in New Orleans writing most of the songs.
“North East South West” makes this context obvious. Sounds like they even took a field trip to Mellencamp’s home in the Midwest. Lyrically there’s clearly an affection for the fun they’ve had in America. “True Love and a Free Life of Free Will” has the same elements with more bombastic marching drums and sing alongs for large audiences.
I’ve read wide ranging debate about “Arc of Bar” and how it fits within Japandroid’s catalog. Like the title track it was odd seeing it live. It stands out with synthesizers throughout the track, which I haven’t heard from them before. Comparing its arrangement to other songs though one would find it’s classic form for them with a new layer of sounds to the canvas.
Wild Heart comparatively has a lot of differences the other records. I think most critics are tripping over themselves to harp on this idea. It’s a strength, not a weakness or as Pitchfork would have you believe a wobbling Janga tower.
Admittedly I was unsure how I felt about these tracks the night I saw them in LA. With each listen Near to the Wild Heart of Life sticks. It’s one of those records that doesn’t do much when it’s first released but grows reputation and acclaim over the years.
Spend time with it. Put the needle down and let go. Each track audibly has tremendous care taken to compose songs one will remember and look forward to hearing. I get see them again in March I expect to connect even more with this LP.
Below you can find some images I took of the special edition vinyl I grabbed last weekend from Lou’s Records.
Disaesthetic 