Wrong End of Town

Wrong end of town is the Debut album by Sydney band Will and the Indians. The 14 track concept album is a musical blend of The Libertines, The Strokes and 1960’s invasion bands; The Kinks, The Beatles and Herman’s Hermits. The album is introduced with the powerful track Love Train which outlines a late teen’s sexual desire and is fuelled by stirring duel guitar work. The bands first single, What If I Said, struggles to stand out as the obvious choice when surrounded by the likes of Business End Of Town and I’m Not Gonna Pay For This which were later revealed by songwriter William Thackeray as “popular single candidates”. The album lyrically and musically takes a path, and we are shown a side of the Indians song writing that reflects their freedom and frustration. Thackeray reveals his view on modern pop song writing, “They say if you make something rhyme, it makes dull words look quite fine,” in Fits Well and lets the music do the talking. As the album progresses in a darker direction, likewise does the essence of the lyrics; Thackeray warns, “You’re gonna get it from me,” in cautionary rock jam Into the Darkness. We are then removed from The Wrong End Of Town to a much more romantic side of the album, as shown in the ballad Corny. Thackeray passionately exclaims, “You might think I’m corny... you can’t be romantic not in this day and age,” while the choir like harmonies and rhythm section propel the song forward. Just as predicted with all first love an emotional climax prevails but it is ultimately brought to a pivotal fall out. In Go Back Inside a loss of dignity and pride in attempt to maintain the love, “You’re not as sweet as you used to be darling,” is powered through a progressive melodic masterpiece. The album shows no sign of weakness or loss of integrity from track 1-14. It lacks no energy and carries no favouritism towards any track. From the glorious and forceful guitar solos Bhalla lets loose to the carefully crafted and complementary percussion from Gouniai, the album shows no mercy. The extremely dynamic and aggressive arrangements support the imaginative and ingenious melodies Thackeray spews out, and though the 60s rock and roll reissue might have been done before not so to the height, power and range that Wrong End of Town has achieved.