Wand – In a Capsule Underground

Description

Wand shift smoothly into Phase IV of their star-flung
efforts on the wings of the latest, ‘Vertigo’, with an LP
release of ‘In a Capsule Underground’. These demos
and unreleased songs from ‘Ganglion Reef’ are the
earliest Wand recordings that we know of, preceding
everything that’s come so far. It’s not simply a function
of time and nostalgia at this late moment that they
sound invariably like magical recordings by, and for,
children.
From the reverse end of the telescope, it’s not so easy
to tell. Just because someone’s young doesn’t mean
that they are absolutely going to sound like a souped-
up baby Moody Blues crossed with a young-wave
Status Quo, Barrettian Pink Floyd, Genesis-era
Genesis and transitioning Barclay James Harvest (that
is, third LP), all letting loose in the post-punk garage,
does it? Yes, it happens more than sometimes in rock
and roll life, but with Wand, it’s always of essence to
consider intent when analysing their output. What if
their desire to sound pixie-ish and ethereal while
mowing us down with buzzing guitars and bass (and
drums and keys!) set to stun was simply a tactile
approach to the conceptualization of Phase I?
Whatever the case, it can be generally agreed that in
2014–15, they managed to pump out three distinct
progressions on this theme – ‘Ganglion Reef’, ‘Golem’
and ‘1000 Days’ – at a trot, encompassing their golden
Phases I-II in the process. The light, fizzy versions
here have distinctive, gleaming magic energies all their
own and will provide quite the breathtaking ride when
endeavoured upon by all who haven’t yet heard them.