Wolf Jaw creates and motivates
Three-man band Wolf Jaw, formerly named The Bad Flowers, was formed in 2014. Made up of lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Leighton, Bassist Dale Tonks and drummer Karl Selicki, the band’s newest release, The Heart Won’t Listen, incorporates a wide and diverse range of sounds that aren’t just found in rock music. Gaining inspiration from bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, the band’s new release has an unpredictable style that is destined to keep listeners on their feet.
Many songs grow from a slight jam to a super jam with classic riffs and steady drum beats supporting Leighton’s range of tones and unique sounds. The singer cries out to be heard in “Hear Me,” a high-intensity song with lots of treble. The band also mixes in some funk sounds in “I Ain’t Ready,” incorporating some psychedelic tones while staying true to classic rock and roll music.
The new album touches on a wide range of topics, like karma and the law of attraction as Leighton sings, “what goes around will come to you,” in the punchy song “Ticking Time Bomb.” The band exemplifies rock and roll while referring to their hearts as a “ticking time bomb,” accompanied by shaky, range filled riffs. The band is very intentional in motivating and creating songs that inspire and educate the masses on staying away from those that hold you down. You can hear the fight in songs like track number four, “The Fighter.” The need to get away from life, but keeping up the motivation shines through when Leighton sings “time is on your side, you just have to believe.” Not only is this track lyrically and rhythmically motivating, but it also features a wicked guitar solo.
Continuing on with the theme of the album, the band gives the middle finger to all those who try to break them down in the following track, “Piece of Me.” Giving listeners and haters a true piece of their mind and a reminder of their worth, while still remaining humble singing words like “I’m not invincible, I’m not replaceable, you can’t have a piece of me.”
There is a nice change of pace in the middle of the album. Track six starts off the story with a beautiful melody and raw sounds from Leighton and the band that slowly build-up to the addition of their classic rock elements. Playing their way back to “The Reason,” the band smoothly morphs this track from an acoustic jam to a rocking track with hammering guitar and screaming vocals.
Listeners can lose themselves in some of the tracks that have repetitively, rocking words like “shoulda, coulda, woulda.” These dirty, yet steady styles are really what bring this album together along with the genuine emotion you can hear through the melodies and vocals of the band. With no slack from drummer Selicki, the band’s newest release truly brings out the inner beast within them on these dark, yet lively songs. The droning noises and motivating lyrics are a theme throughout the album, that also features an eleventh bonus track “Living the Dream” which the band is doing through their songs.
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