Posted on: January 2, 2012 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

I had heard snippets of this band for a decent period before actually laying my hands on the record itself. While everything that I’ve read about the band tags them as pop-punk wunderkinds, I would have to disagree. The music which Del Cielo puts out goes so far beyond the limitations of a loaded term like pop-punk into a term that is almost as derogatory : alternative. If they put this album out back in the early nineties, chances are that Wish and Wait would have been heralded as yet another ground-shaking album for the alternative scene, being as important as L7 or even the earliest Ani DiFranco. Don’t get me wrong – the music is not all sedate or like a PJ Harvey album – there are quite a few power chords floating through each of the tracks on the disc, but the term pop-punk is woefully inefficient when it brings up bands like Simple Plan, Blink 182, Darlington, or The Huntingtons. In fact, the faster tracks on this disc, such as “All-Star”, sound more like the Letters From Cleo-related Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack. And, if you know me, a comparison to the absolutely perfect Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack is most definitely a compliment on one’s music.

Del Cielo actually doesn’t have to rest on its laurels, as some of the sheer musicianship on this disc puts their technical ability far above most of the bands currently wielding instruments today. “Reaction #1” shows the insane guitar abilities of Andrea, while the following “Don’t Say It’s Not Wrong” has a warm bass line courtesy of Basia. Moving back into the upper-tempo beat of Josie and Bif Naked, “Tell Me A Lie” continues the rich bass lines and catchy song structure that rear their head at various places during the disc. The dual-harmonies exhibited on the aforementioned track recall Veruca Salt at their best, and “Five Dollars Wasted” continues the breakneck speed of the last track, as well as changing directions in the middle of the track to a more punchy, power-chord laden track. Finishing off the disc with yet another driving song in “Three Months Down”, Del Cielo shows that they will not give up that easily. In a scene that wishes to see a new rock revolution, in yet another one that extols the timelessness of hardcore, Del Cielo can gain popular support due them by their limitless skill.

Two divergent streams come into contact with each other on the disc. While Del Cielo comes with a traditional alternative type of singer, the music that the band itself plays is more of a power-pop with punk influences. Where some other bands might not be able to rectify the fissure between the two styles, Del Cielo does just that in their creation of an album that can be called revolutionary. Where the Ramones cut their first album nearly thirty years ago, merging bubblegum pop and the dirt-rock of the MC5 and the Stooges, Del Cielo can be seen as the new Ramones, in their merging of the alternative rock of Ani and Liz Phair with the pop-punk of Letters to Cleo and Bif Naked.

Rating: 7.9/10

Top Tracks : Tell Me A Lie, All-Star

Del Cielo – Wish and Wait
Del Cielo – Wish and Wait / 2003 Eyeball Records / 11 Tracks / [email protected] / http://www.delcielorock.com / http://www.eyeballrecords.com / Released 08 April 2003 / Reviewed 27 December 2003 /

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