ALBUM REVIEW
Artist: Windmill
Album: Wanderlust
Reviewer: Graham Holland
Released: 4th March 2016
It was just last week I was walking home from work listening to Bird’s debut (and only) album and wondering where I was going to get my fix of ethereal folky-pop from, when what should be waiting for me on the doormat but the debut album from local band Windmill.
You may have heard the single Birdman on Dave Monks’ BBC Radio Merseyside show in February 2014 and wondered what had happened to them since. Well the answer is they’ve been taking their time in the recording studio, and I have to say it was time well spent. It’s obvious listening to these songs that a lot of care and attention has gone into making them, and it really adds to the listening experience.
Mick Dolan, Dawn Williams, David T Palmer, Louise Rodriguez, Jennifer Airey and Elaine Kinsella combine acoustic with psychedelic electric guitars, plus moody bass and percussion to produce songs positively oozing with atmosphere. Dawn’s voice is perfectly suited to the Windmill sound, and is complemented by additional vocals from Jennifer, Louise and Mick, and guest vocals from Jack and Ben Palmer. The combined vocal talents lend themselves to effective harmonies.
The brooding sound of the opening three tracks (including Blind with Peter Banning’s trumpet opening) make way for lighter numbers including How Many Times, Rest, Sunflower, and the Clouds with its beautiful cello arrangement from Alistair Ligertwood. One of my favourites is Wake Up, You’re Dreaming with its tick-tocking clock motif.
Wanderlust is an excellent first album from Windmill and if the follow-up takes another two years, if this is anything to go by it’ll be well worth the wait.
Wanderlust is available to buy in physical form from Mick and in digital form from iTunes and Amazon.
Review © 2016 Graham Holland – Liverpool Acoustic
Windmill
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Album review: Windmill – Wanderlust