Album review: We Have Band - WHB

We Have Band – WHB 

(released April 5th, 2010, on Naive)

  I know from the start that my opinion on this album will not be objective as I have been waiting for its release for 2 years now. It is though worth trying to introduce it regardless of my feelings.  

   Let’s first introduce the band. It is an English trio of two boys and a girl – Dede and Thomas W-P (they are married indeed) and Darren B. They met at work and formed We Have Band by accident. Their debut album ‘WHB’ has been released a few weeks ago on French label Naïve. Some of the songs have already been played on Kitsune and Kill Em All. The sound created by the trio is quite interesting as it mixes pop with electro, soft melodies with devastating beats, and also the three voices with the instruments.

   The black golden cover was created by Sam Ashby. You can check him out at iamsamashby.com. I also strongly recommend you watch the video clips for Divisive, You Came Out, or Honeytrap.

1.  Piano and 2. Buffet

The album starts off smoothly with these two songs. It is like waking up on a bed covered with feather pillows. In Buffet, you can hear the different voices being mixed up.

   3. Divisive

   This is the first single from the album; the moment when the dance’s demon starts to take control of your body.

   ‘We’re all divisive… You take me out this way’.

   4. Love, What You’re Doing?

   Get out of this body, Depeche Mode! Here you can feel the influences, but still, it is a beautiful and powerful love song.

   ‘This is, is this what you’re asking for? Now, that you’re leaving me. Me and your…’

  

   5. Oh !

   This song made them famous. It was released by the French label Kitsuné. Again, I am pretty sure you have heard it somewhere. This is the original version, with Thomas’ low voice, Dede’s high ‘Ohs’ and Darren’s unique voice.  

   6. How To Make Friends

   The mysterious and tensed introduction maybe is a little bit too long and is not really in keeping with the rest of the song.

   7. Honeytrap

   This is a single, and it is easy to know why- it is a hit. From the start it makes your shoulders move, and it is only the beginning of it all. Many surprises await you at the end of the song.

   ‘This is your choices… It’s time… Line up… Clap hands… Let’s go… Here we stand’.

   8. Hear It In The Cans

   This track is once again a perfect illustration of the characteristic mixed up voices. Also there are many loops and distortions.

   9. Centrefolds and Empty Screens

   The rock intro is followed by classic electro pop. Thumbs up to Dede whispering ‘We have band’, which gives the song a unique color.

   10. You Came Out

   This song was out long before the album was released. Many remixes have been made. It is quite different from the others- whistles, drums and Dede’s singing for the most part.

   11. WHB

   This track is darker and differs a lot from the first ones. A nice work has been made on breath, which is used as a proper instrument. This could have been developed a little bit more.

  

   12. Hero Knows

   As if to back all these emotions, the last song is very long, quiet and sad. Though the quietness of it is only relative.

   If there is one piece of advice I can give you, it is to go see them live, because the set as well is very elaborate. We Have Band are leaving nothing to chance and I believe this is what pleases us. WHB is undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year, and it is very promising.

by Josephine. Translated by Comete.