Katrina and the Waves - Katrina and the Waves and Waves

While it's unfair to call them a one hit wonder, as I'm sure the band's fans will be quick to point out other songs and stuff that were played on the radio, to most people, myself included, that big "hit" was as deep as I ever got into the band. As to their other charting songs, I don't recall hearing anything other than the"hit" on the radio.

Let's be clear though, "Walking on Sunshine" is as close to a perfect summer song as there ever was. It's funny I remember that song from it's earlier iteration here in Canada, but not so well as to be able to call out the differences between the original version released in 1983 and the one that became a world wide hit in 1985.

Not too long ago I was in the clearance section and came across a couple of their albums. I figured, I could be missing out. Or there could be a reason why I've never heard anything else. Which makes sense on one level, but not on so many others, as most of the bands I love never had a hit, let along a worldwide hit.

To most people this was the band's debut release, but it was actually their third. I consider this their debut even though I remember them from earlier. Thankfully rather than just cobble together songs from their earlier releases the band went back and re-arranged and re-recorded the songs that appear on their eponymous release, which I think was a pretty smart move. It at least gave them a sense of cohesiveness with the rest of the material.

I've been listening while I jot down my gibberish, and I'm now on my second time through the album. The first time through nothing really caught me in the feels, other than the "hit" now as the fist side is about to finish a second spin, I'm really digging "Do You Want Crying."

"Walking on Sunshine" just pops. There's good, and then there's something special. Katrina has a great voice, and the entire band clicks. Everything works. There's a double edge to being able to write and perform a song that reaches this level of success - it becomes the benchmark for everything else that is to follow. It's a blessing and a curse. Which is too bad, because the rest of the album, is good - and with repeated listening only gets better. The band wisely stayed in a lane that wasn't too rocky, nor was it dripping with '80s synths and drum machines and wacky hair and make up. With the passage of time this has served the band really well, and while the album may not get a lot of play after I've gone through it a couple of times - it is an enjoyable effort, and one that is quite enjoyable.

The songs on the album were written by Kimberley Rew, who was also the lead guitarist. Katrina Leskanich handled vocals and played rhythm and some lead guitar. The rhythm section was rounded out by Alex Cooper on drums and vocals, and Vince de la Cruz on bass and vocals. Overall a solid band effort, and an enjoyable album.

Time to pull out Waves and see what's hiding in the grooves. It's nice to see the entire band returning for a follow up. I have no expectations on this one, so who knows I may be pleasantly surprised.

The albums opens with Kimberley Rew's "It That It?" a rhythm and blues number with a big vocal and a brass section. It's good, but frankly is pretty paint by numbers R&B and is really only saved by Katrina's vocal performance. The next song is okay and was written by Katrina, and while decent doesn't have anything to really push it over into being great. Reading through the song credits it looks like the band (except the drummer, who apparently knew his role and stayed in his lane) decided they were now songwriters and Katrina and bassist Vince de la Cruz wrote most of the songs on the album. Songs that are mostly falling into generic territory and while delivered with aplomb just feel like background music The second of the Kimberley Rew tunes on the album "Lovely Lindsey" tries to get over the hump, and is the best song so far - but really its not enough to carry the album. It's a solid song - back in the day this would have made it onto a mix tape. 

The second side opens with a ballad I can't decide is tongue in cheek or being played straight. "Sleep on my Pillow" sounds like a lullaby being sung by a Sunday School teacher ... yeah, I'm not sure what that means either, but it's probably the only song on I haven't cared for so far. and Katrina really does seem to be playing it straight and going for an emotional payoff that never materializes. Oddly enough the Leskanich (Katrina if you forgot) penned "Mr. Star" plays with the same sort of lullaby feel, but has a more dreamlike quality, and even the cliched voice over doesn't quite derail the song, but it was close as I was really enjoying it up to that point. Another of her songs "Love That Boy" almost sounds like a Blondie song mixed with a little bit of classic Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" - it's a lot of fun and the "jingle-jangle" solo seals the deal. Probably the best song on the album along with the "Lovely Lindsey." The final track was the third in a row written by Katrina, and hearkens back to the album's opening track and while a decent song is another paint by numbers R&B effort delivered with gusto. She really can sing.

I suspect this will be a listen and file album. I'm only out a buck on this one.

Waves would still sell 50,000 copies in Canada, going gold, but was half on what the previous album sold. Capital records who had picked up distribution would drop the band. They would release a few more records, and Katrina would go solo, but for me this is where I get off. I'll wave bye from here.

I'll see myself out.