the wilkins

http://neufutur.com/?p=3799

Wilkins – consisting of Mark Wilkins (bass, guitars, and vocals), Julian Wilkins (piano/synths), and Jan Wilkins (acoustic guitars, vocals) – are a family that has been creating music together since 2000. “No Expiry Date” is an album that shows that, even with Julian’s hiatus from the act, that Wilkins is a musical tour de force in the folk music sphere. “Easy” is the first track on “No Expiry Date”, and it immediately hits listeners with a ropy bass line, driving drums and synthesizers that fit in well with the bass focus. The Wilkins do a great job during this introductory track in creating a musical style that speaks equally well to the eighties, nineties, and oughts. The biggest contribution that the Wilkins give to music as a whole is the uniting of electronic-heavy music with the traditionally “unplugged” folk style.
While some listeners may come in to “No Expiry Date” thinking that the styles are mutually exclusive, the Wilkins will undoubtedly make believers out of them. “.79” breaks down thoughts about what is proper in terms of tempo and time signatures in the creation of a piano-heavy track. “Love Is Gone” marks another different approach taken by Wilkins, where a somewhat Latin style to the guitars open up to Jan’s vocals following a more traditional, Alison Krauss meets Stevie Nicks style. “Couldn’t Do Better” is an epic track in the sense that the guitars and vocals unite to make a memorable track in the vein of “Let It Be”, albeit with a more sedate, “natural” sound present.
“No Expiry Date” is a title that fits well for this collection of tracks, because what the Wilkins do here is mesh together different approaches, influences, and styles into something unique that will stand the test of time – regardless of how far listeners are away in terms of years from when this album was released, the songs will still sound as fresh as possible. The disc finishes as strongly as it opened: tracks like “Whatever You Want” and “Song of Hope” challenge even “Easy” in terms of quality and uniqueness. “Song of Hope” may start slowly, but the arrangements intertwine themselves with the vocals to create a track that would as easily fit on classic rock stations as they would on a NPR or collect radio affiliate. Wilkins, likely owing to the close bond of family, have made an album in “No Expiry Date” that is truly special. If you want to hear different interpretations of what limits music can have, buy this album.

Top Tracks: Apologies Unspoken, Whatever You Want
Rating: 7.4/10 - Neu Future Magazine

A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
by Mark S. Tucker
(progdawg@hotmail.com).




I've always had a soft spot for good M.O.R. (middle of the road) rock but not acts like Anne Murray or Barry Manilow (retch!). Give me Runner, later Rare Bird, the Mamas & Papas, Unicorn—you know, the stuff that neither screams nor falls into itself. The Wilkins band is M.O.R. and is actually a father, a mother, and a 22-year old son, a true family ensemble. Mark Wilkins was discovered by one of my fave musicians, Tom Cochrane (of Red Rider fame), and his band The Elevators later became Photograph, whose sophomore release enjoyed the production of Daniel Lanois. Jan Wilkins had been a nomadic folkie performing in coffee houses in Canada, met Mark, and had Julian, a young gent possessing exquisite sensibilities on the piano and a past lead actor in productions of Les Miserables, Grease, Fame, and such.

No Expiry Date is smooth as silk. Mark and Jan are superb singers and Mark plays guitars in the folk / soft rock tradition. Julian adds in backing vox but truly has a wondrous hand on the keys, playing acoustic piano and electric keyboards. The guy was born with an ability to transpose keys at will, but there's a delicacy and feeling in him beyond that, a trait which defies explanation...when he isn't, that is, playing axe, sledge hammer, anvil, and air gun (seriously!). Add to them Jon Wheel Parker, who displays consummate taste on guitar, slide, and mando, and you have a very formidable combo that, frankly, more than once put me often in mind of Iain Matthews' forgotten but unbelievably good soft rock band Plainsong.

Canada must have something exotic in its waters. The country turns out so many fine musicians: Bruce Cockburn, Murray McLauchlin, Joni Mitchell, the aforementioned Cochrane, Neil Young, and God only knows the limit. The Wilkins stand solidly in that stellar array. Just about every cut on this CD is solid, thoughtful, tuneful to a wistful fault, and drenched in a relaxed, well-crafted, smile-provoking manner. In the pounding, keening, buzzing cacaphony that too oft dominates the airwaves, it's easy to forget that music like this is still being made.


- Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange

A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
by Mark S. Tucker
(progdawg@hotmail.com).




I've always had a soft spot for good M.O.R. (middle of the road) rock but not acts like Anne Murray or Barry Manilow (retch!). Give me Runner, later Rare Bird, the Mamas & Papas, Unicorn—you know, the stuff that neither screams nor falls into itself. The Wilkins band is M.O.R. and is actually a father, a mother, and a 22-year old son, a true family ensemble. Mark Wilkins was discovered by one of my fave musicians, Tom Cochrane (of Red Rider fame), and his band The Elevators later became Photograph, whose sophomore release enjoyed the production of Daniel Lanois. Jan Wilkins had been a nomadic folkie performing in coffee houses in Canada, met Mark, and had Julian, a young gent possessing exquisite sensibilities on the piano and a past lead actor in productions of Les Miserables, Grease, Fame, and such.

No Expiry Date is smooth as silk. Mark and Jan are superb singers and Mark plays guitars in the folk / soft rock tradition. Julian adds in backing vox but truly has a wondrous hand on the keys, playing acoustic piano and electric keyboards. The guy was born with an ability to transpose keys at will, but there's a delicacy and feeling in him beyond that, a trait which defies explanation...when he isn't, that is, playing axe, sledge hammer, anvil, and air gun (seriously!). Add to them Jon Wheel Parker, who displays consummate taste on guitar, slide, and mando, and you have a very formidable combo that, frankly, more than once put me often in mind of Iain Matthews' forgotten but unbelievably good soft rock band Plainsong.

Canada must have something exotic in its waters. The country turns out so many fine musicians: Bruce Cockburn, Murray McLauchlin, Joni Mitchell, the aforementioned Cochrane, Neil Young, and God only knows the limit. The Wilkins stand solidly in that stellar array. Just about every cut on this CD is solid, thoughtful, tuneful to a wistful fault, and drenched in a relaxed, well-crafted, smile-provoking manner. In the pounding, keening, buzzing cacaphony that too oft dominates the airwaves, it's easy to forget that music like this is still being made.


- Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange