The new Wreckless Eric album is a whole mood. For a guy who got famous for singing the very direct "Whole Wide World", it's sort of impressive that he's able to modulate that approach for something more moody and nuanced. And Leisureland is just that.
"Southern Rock" twangs the record to a start, while "Inside the Majestic" is a ruminative ramble. Most of Leisureland has a sense of place, even if the places are ones imagined by Eric Goulden during COVID lockdown, or places he's not seen in ages. The whole record has a dream-like quality in spots, where the songs seem to be memories etched out quickly and then embellished later. "Esplande by Moonlight" is a real highlight in that sense. Elsewhere, "Standing Water" and "Standing Sunday Morning" bristle with coiled energy, Eric's voice in fine form as the guitar riffs circle.
Leisureland is a journey of an album. It's immersive, and a pleasant surprise for those who had pegged Wreckless Eric to one style, one genre. There are selections here that are direct and more that are moody. I think the record will work best as a single-listen activity.
Leisureland by Wreckless Eric is out now via Tapete Records.
[Photo: Bert Eke]