Whirlwind Heat “Types of Wood” Review

Whirlwind Heat, a three-piece from Grand Rapids, Michigan, has a roughly ten year history filled with plenty of cool points of interest and a catalogue to boot. Early in 2000, while in attendance at one of the band’s shows, Jack White offered to help them record a few songs which were later recorded in White’s attic studio in Detroit. This session would lead to the release of a track on White’s Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit compilation which was released on Sympathy For The Record Industry in 2001 and the band’s full length debut album, Do Rabbits Wonder?, in 2003.

Types of Wood is peculiar album, and not simply for its erotic Terry Richardson-shot cover and similar subsequent themes, but for the song writing and vocal style throughout. Whirlwind Heat claims little influence from their musical surroundings, but rather other forms of culture. “We have no musical influence(s). Only non-musical influence(s), like photographs, movies, people and family. You could possibly say that music is an anti-influence. We watch MTV so we can see what not to do.” And with the exception of the whole “we have no musical influences” thing, I’d have to say that Types of Wood follows these guidelines completely.

Lyrically David Swanson has one of the most interesting and revealing set of monotone vocals ever recorded. Without the vocal depth of someone like Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnson, Swanson relies on shadowing his Moog & much of bassist Steve Damstra’s fuzztone for harmonic accompaniment. But it then comes that throughout the album its unfortunate pitfalls come from this minimalist base. When the band emphasizes so little musically in some songs, such as the stand-alone backbeat in “Gene Pool Style” or the simple, quiet bass line in “Captain Cave,” the songs, and more importantly the album, loses momentum. Fortunately tracks like the upbeat, indie-funk “Slugger” and the hand-clap rich “Umbrella People” are infectious enough to counterbalance the lulls. And I suppose it’s fitting as there aren’t many people who can openly criticize Jack White’s taste in music.