For a band with tendencies towards freak out music, Wand are also fairly disciplined. They engage in acid rock for the 21st century, but they are decent songwriters too. Those skills are readily apparent on their new live album, Spiders in the Rain. Recorded during dates in early 2020 before COVID shot everything down, this Drag City release should please anyone who's been following along with this band's journey forward.
While the 20-minute "White Cat", originally from 2017's Plum really reveals this group's proclivities in terms of indulging their jones for taking a neo-psychedelic voyage, lots more of Spiders in the Rain is tighter. "Hare" and "Wonder", from 2019's exemplary Laughing Matter, here reveal the strengths of this band. The vocals may be blissed out, but the hooks are harder, with "Wonder" being a real delight here in this live setting. Elsewhere, "The Gift", from 2018's Perfume, is rougher, with the instrumental pieces sounding like they are barely holding things together behind Cory Hanson's plaintive vocals. "Self Hypnosis" and "Melted Rope", both from 2015's Golem, are more abrasive, with Wand cutting loose with a sense of freedom here. These two tracks are good examples of how this band takes huge chances, but still keeps things moving in an intersting direction. And most of Spiders in the Rain is like that, even if the epic-length songs here may seem a bit indulgent in other ways.
Spiders in the Rain by Wand is out on Fridady via Drag City.
[Photo: Ansley Lee]