Wildbirds and Peacedrums – Iris EP

2010 may well be the year of the married musicians, what with a great record by Besnard Lakes already under our belts, a new long-player by Arcade Fire on it’s way and now a dazzling new project by Wildbirds & Peacedrums; Swedish husband and wife experimental duo Andreas Werliin, and Mariam Wallentin.

Iris is the second in a series of two vinyl only EP release that will come together to be released as an album; Rivers, later in the year and continues a concept linking the similarities between the surface of the eye and the surface of water.

Each of the five tracks has aquatic themes and from the opening onomatopoeic sweeps of ‘The Wave’ the most notable feature of the EP is the dominance of the steel drum throughout. The tone can jar until the ear gets used to it and this is simultaneously exacerbated and soothed by the way the steel drum (Wallentin’s latest obsession apparently) is used in a variety of surprising and unorthodox ways. ‘The Wave’ is confrontational in its brusque rhythms and the band’s trademark minimalism; rarely is there anything more than percussion, steel drums and voice present at any moment on the record.

‘The Course’ is the highlight of the EP, sitting centrally to the tracklisting and bringing it’s themes and ideas into its most satisfying whole. With Wallentin’s most engaging vocal, some the the starkness inherent in the WB&P sound is stripped away and exchanged for some welcome warmth. The playing is also more intense and this added emotion means the vocals seem more comfortable and happier to connect and as such the impact is greater as she yearns “After the sunrise/and the dawn/something better will come” her voice drops on the final syllable, leaving more questions than answers as the steel reaches a climax around her.

Closing track ‘The Well’ opens with frantic steel and a surprisingly muscular drum beat and never really lets up, Wallentin taking the opportunity to wail and emote over the verses before sending a warning over the chorus. The track builds and builds, leaving the listener feeling increasingly hemmed in, somehow trapped by everything they are hearing but in the most thrilling way, it’s basically rock music with any guitars or synths and all the more exciting and effective for it and is a fitting end to the EP.

In truth it’s easy for a band such as WB&P to come across as cold and overly studied in their approach and many will be immediately turned off by such adherence to conceptual songwriting and stark arrangements but those that are drawn in will find great rewards, the impact of the most intense moments enhanced by the contrasting coldness and distance present. What is perhaps even more intriguing is how such a stylised and considered piece of work will co-exist with another 5 tracks, only time will tell.