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Originally conceived as the second part of a double album entitled Battle, South London singer/songwriter Patrick Wolf's fifth studio effort, Lupercalia, has instead been given its own star billing, two years after its intended accompaniment, The Bachelor, indicated Wolf was in a very dark place indeed. Having previously stated in his lyrics that "I'll never marry/no-one will wear my silver ring," his recent engagement shows that he's completely changed his tune, something alluded to on most of Lupercalia's 12 tracks, which unabashedly revel in the euphoria of love. It's a far cry from the usual tortured poetry that has dominated his unpredictable career, but it's a frame of mind which has helped to produce his most focused and mainstream music to date. Opening track "The City," a summery slice of Prefab Sprout-esque, romantic, new wave pop complete with triumphant brass section and forgivably corny saxophone solo, sets the optimistic tone from the outset, paving the way for the ABBA-meets-'80s Bruce Springsteen vibes of "House," an unexpectedly passionate account on the joys of domesticity, and the jaunty Baroque pop of "Bermondsey Street." Of course, this being a Patrick Wolf album, there are always going to be a few curveballs, like "Armistice," an otherworldly interpretation of a Manx Gaelic folk song complete with glass harmonica, cristal bachet, and dudok (an Armenian instrument); the 50-second ambient interlude "William," and the harpsichord waltz and wailing Middle-Eastern female vocals of "Slow Motion," which show he certainly hasn't left his avant-garde tendencies completely behind. However, these occasionally more eccentric offerings only serve to highlight just how big a transformation Wolf has undergone, heightening the impact of the likes of the lushly orchestrated synth pop of "The Falcons," the operatic electro of "Together," and the Killers-esque indie disco of "Time of My Life." Having seemingly exorcized his demons, Lupercalia's highly melodic but still resolutely exuberant nature indicates that Wolf's newfound positive outlook on life definitely seems to suit him.
© Jon O'Brien /TiVo
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Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Vocals, Moog Bass, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Thomas White, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Serafina Steer, Concert Harp, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcello Vig, Tom-Toms, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Tough, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Haward, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Apps, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Producer, Piano, Timpani, Vocals, Dulcimer, Ukulele, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Thomas White, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gillon Cameron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy May, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Hussey, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Natalia Bonner, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Fiona Brice, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Vicky Matthews, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Fiona Leggat, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Marcello Vig, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Katherine Mayes, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Haward, Electric Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Apps, Bass Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Woollacott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Miguel de Vivres, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Victoria Sutherland, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Burges, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Ben Castle, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Barnaby Dickinson, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Producer, Piano, Programmer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Graeme Flowers, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Daniel Carpenter, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Serafina Steer, Concert Harp, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Co-Producer, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Haward, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Jon Krisp, Programming, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Producer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Unknown, Bass, Keyboards, Other, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Thomas White, Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Katie Harkin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Serafina Steer, Concert Harp, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Haward, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Owen Stereo MCs, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Producer, Cymbals, Piano, Timpani, Vocals, Dulcimer, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gillon Cameron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Belinda Sykes, Duduk, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy May, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Hussey, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Thomas Bloch, Harmonica, Ondes Martenot, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Jo Apps, Mezzo-Soprano, AssociatedPerformer - Natalia Bonner, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Fiona Brice, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Vicky Matthews, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Engineer, Acoustic Guitar, Hammond Organ, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Fiona Leggat, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Marcello Vig, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Katherine Mayes, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Haward, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Derek Apps, Bass Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Miguel de Vivres, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Victoria Sutherland, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Burges, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Producer, Bells, Harpsichord, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Belinda Sykes, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Coulter, Ney Flute, Musical Saw, AssociatedPerformer - Thomas Bloch, Ondes Martenot, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcello Vig, Cymbals, Snare Drum, AssociatedPerformer - Tomas Brangwyn, Dulcimer, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Patrick Wolf, Producer, Piano, Timpani, Vocals, Dulcimer, Ukulele, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Gillon Cameron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy May, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Hussey, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Natalia Bonner, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Fiona Brice, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Vicky Matthews, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Producer, Engineer, Acoustic Guitar, Co-Producer, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Fiona Leggat, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Marcello Vig, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Katherine Mayes, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Apps, Bass Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Miguel de Vivres, Producer, Co-Producer, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Victoria Sutherland, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Burges, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2010 Mercury Records Limited
Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Producer, Piano, Vocals, Synthesizer, Harmonica, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Thomas White, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Serafina Steer, Harp, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Haward, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Apps, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Producer, Piano, Timpani, Vocals, Dulcimer, Ukulele, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gillon Cameron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Belinda Sykes, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy May, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - David Coulter, Harp, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Hussey, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Natalia Bonner, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Fiona Brice, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Vicky Matthews, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Helen Barker, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart King, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Louise Watson, Bassoon, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Producer, Engineer, Co-Producer, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Wainwright, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Fiona Leggat, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Marcello Vig, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Katherine Mayes, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Haward, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Derek Apps, Bass Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Miguel de Vivres, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Victoria Sutherland, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Burges, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Emma Louise Hible, Flute, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Cenzo Townshend, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Patrick Wolf, Producer, Piano, Timpani, Vocals, Ukulele, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gillon Cameron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy May, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Alec Empire, Producer, Co-Producer - Stephen Hussey, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Martin White, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Katie Harkin, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jo Apps, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Natalia Bonner, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Fiona Brice, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Producer, Engineer, Co-Producer, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Fiona Leggat, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Marcello Vig, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Katherine Mayes, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Victoria Sutherland, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Patrick Wolf, Producer, Vocals, Dulcimer, Drum Programming, Moog Bass, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Tom Elmhirst, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Thomas White, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gillon Cameron, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amy May, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Hussey, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Natalia Bonner, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Fiona Brice, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Vicky Matthews, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Fuller, Producer, Engineer, Co-Producer, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Fiona Leggat, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Marcello Vig, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Katherine Mayes, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Apps, Bass Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Woollacott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Miguel de Vivres, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Victoria Sutherland, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ian Burges, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
Album review
Originally conceived as the second part of a double album entitled Battle, South London singer/songwriter Patrick Wolf's fifth studio effort, Lupercalia, has instead been given its own star billing, two years after its intended accompaniment, The Bachelor, indicated Wolf was in a very dark place indeed. Having previously stated in his lyrics that "I'll never marry/no-one will wear my silver ring," his recent engagement shows that he's completely changed his tune, something alluded to on most of Lupercalia's 12 tracks, which unabashedly revel in the euphoria of love. It's a far cry from the usual tortured poetry that has dominated his unpredictable career, but it's a frame of mind which has helped to produce his most focused and mainstream music to date. Opening track "The City," a summery slice of Prefab Sprout-esque, romantic, new wave pop complete with triumphant brass section and forgivably corny saxophone solo, sets the optimistic tone from the outset, paving the way for the ABBA-meets-'80s Bruce Springsteen vibes of "House," an unexpectedly passionate account on the joys of domesticity, and the jaunty Baroque pop of "Bermondsey Street." Of course, this being a Patrick Wolf album, there are always going to be a few curveballs, like "Armistice," an otherworldly interpretation of a Manx Gaelic folk song complete with glass harmonica, cristal bachet, and dudok (an Armenian instrument); the 50-second ambient interlude "William," and the harpsichord waltz and wailing Middle-Eastern female vocals of "Slow Motion," which show he certainly hasn't left his avant-garde tendencies completely behind. However, these occasionally more eccentric offerings only serve to highlight just how big a transformation Wolf has undergone, heightening the impact of the likes of the lushly orchestrated synth pop of "The Falcons," the operatic electro of "Together," and the Killers-esque indie disco of "Time of My Life." Having seemingly exorcized his demons, Lupercalia's highly melodic but still resolutely exuberant nature indicates that Wolf's newfound positive outlook on life definitely seems to suit him.
© Jon O'Brien /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:40:57
- Main artists: Patrick Wolf
- Composer: Patrick Wolf
- Label: EMI
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 2011 Mercury Records Limited ℗ 2011 Mercury Records Limited
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