The Wildhearts – The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed

Something For Everyone

Even though the Wildhearts have had an incredibly storied career that would rival the likes of any classic rock band, chances are if you’re from America, you’ve probably never heard of them. The brain child of David Walls-Smith, infamously known around rock circles as “Ginger,” the Wildhearts first began pumping blood into the UK rock scene in 1989. With a sound reminiscent of Guns N’ Roses and what Nirvana would eventually become, they quickly garnered a dedicated fan base through their first few years of existence while opening for some “little” bands like Alice in Chains and AC/DC. Though their rise to total worldly domination seemed imminent, like any worthy rock group – they went through a plethora of lineup changes, including a brief stint with Devin Townsend, in addition to some label changes that seemed to threaten or derail the rock freight train they had become. After nearly five years since releasing their last album, the Wildhearts return with the aptly titled The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed. After decades of rocking a from-the-streets grassroots approach, Ginger has learned to give to the masses what they want – something exciting that can’t easily be lumped into a specific genre. He does just that The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed. The Wildhearts flex their punk rock-infused muscles on the opening “Nexus Icon,” before slowing it down with a classic pop/rock ode with “One Life, One Love, One Girl.” From start to finish, this quirky and smart album meanders from differentiating genres to keep the listener hooked. Interested parties wishing to be destroyed by the bands now famously entertaining live show can check them out opening for the Darkness.