Wicked Will

iTunes Review

The Ettes’ fourth release begins with the slow, jangly acoustic guitar of “Teeth,” a simmering ballad with clever lyrics and a sharp guitar solo. But don’t let it fool you into thinking that the trio has gone soft — they’re just lulling you into a trap. Jumping into the spiky “Excuse” they snarl and claw their way through a dozen quick and dirty tracks drenched in reverb. Fuzzy guitars, tight, jittery rhythms, and Coco Hames’ venomous vocals keep the band sounding raw and edgy throughout. Sometimes they explode (“You Never Say,” “Don’t Bring Me Down”) and other times they keep the energy pent-up and coiled (“You Were There,” “I Stayed Too Late,” “The Worst There Is”). Standouts include “The Pendulum,” with its irresistible hook and tambourine-enhanced rhythm, the rockabilly-inspired “My Heart,” and a stylish take on the Lee Hazlewood song “My Baby Cried All Night Long.” Less varied than their previous release Do You Want Power, Wicked Will is a raging return to the Ettes’ retro garage-rock roots.