The Fool by Warpaint is by far one of the best albums you are likely to hear this year, and it’s their debut full length feature. The depth and texture of 10 tracks are fabulously both complex and simple in equal measure, almost instantly likeable but multifaceted at the same time. What you heard first time around only becomes amplified and enhanced by discovery of new, often very subtle, layers that build up to make each track a perfectly packaged slice of slightly folksy Indie, or Art-Rock/Psychedelic Ghettotech! if you prefer the publicity tag lines.
The four piece Californian band have been steadily bubbling to the surface through years of L.A gigging, some recent celeb endorsements and a very favourably received debut EP, ‘Exquisite Corpse’ produced by RHCP’s John Frusciante. Having been signed up to Rough Trade and enlisted the very particular talents of Siouxsie Sioux and Andrew Weatherall (Provider of Simon Mayo’s backing track for many years!) for additional mixing the Hippy at heart quartet have delivered a sublime treasure in The Fool.
Immerse yourself in the deep warm waters of tropically bordered misty lakes and landscapes of disappearing horizons. The fantastically mesmeric opener ‘Set Your Arms Down’ swirls and sways through guitar jangles and tribal drum beats melding the soft vocals against the recurrent Felt like backdrop. Somewhat reminiscent of Laura Viers, the haunting harmonisation is both sensual and powerful. Warpaint by Warpaint follows on with a very Ginderman like first few bars leading into a two part vocal from Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman. By this stage, baring some unforeseen catastrophe, you already know how good this album is likely to be.
The recent single Undertow is up next. Actress Shannyn Sossamon, the original drummer in the band, shot the video to accompany the track that sympathetically visualises the lovelorn tale. The sumptuous velvety tones pitch and purr alongside the deep, sometimes funky, highly original bass line and neat percussive treatments. Undertow also highlights the bands prowess at pairing their succinct and vivid lyrics against a marvellously luscious musical arrangement.