The Wallflowers folk up music

By Christina L. Esparza
Daily Forty-Niner

The Wallflowers' new release, "Breach," is a nice break from the rap core mediocrity of Limp Bizkit and the bubble gum boy band so-called punk rock of Blink 182.

The new album, following the band's four-time platinum "Bringing Down the Horse," has the same mellow feel that blends lead singer Jakob Dylan's Springsteen-on-Vicodan style voice with modest guitar, light drums, subtle touches of an organ vibe and a viola.

The main difference between the two albums lies in the lyrical disclosure and the acceptance of folk, which, because of Dylan's seemingly distanced relationship with his '60s icon father, Bob Dylan, has never been seen before.

Since The Wallflowers' success about four years ago, Dylan has always seemed apprehensive when speaking about, or even being seen with, his father. However, the lyrics from two songs on the new album, "Sleepwalker" and "Hand Me Down," allow a glimpse of Dylan's childhood shine through. He describes being the son of a man who became the voice for an explosive generation.

Dylan's vulnerabilities and insecurities are predominately noted in "Hand Me Down."

The lyrics come from a child's perspective of what a parent says. "With your worn out shoes / Living proof evolution is through / We're stuck with you / Revolution is doomed / 'Cause you're a hand me down."

Along with the revealing lyrics, The Wallflowers changed its music style enough to deviate from "Horse," but not enough to say the band totally reinvented itself, like Madonna does on every album.

The introduction of "Letters from the Wasteland" has an eerie beat in the beginning. A slow, steady guitar chimes in steadily over the bass and drums, which creates an echoing sound, similar to the sound of Blondie's "Rapture." But the tone changes in the chorus, incorporating a quick and loud beat.

"I've Been Delivered" emphasizes keyboardist Rami Jaffee's unique, experimental tone. His is the dominant instrument in this song, producing a carnival-like sound.

The biggest surprise of the album came in "Mourning Train" and "Up From Under." Both have a folk-style appeal.

"Mourning Train" starts with only an acoustic guitar, Dylan's smooth, raspy voice and a steady rhythm of hands clapping. The slow tempo continues as an organ subtly creeps its way in and the quick ring of a tambourine adds some spice.

Again in "Up from Under," an acoustic guitar and Dylan's voice introduce the song and, like the organ in "Mourning Train," a viola smoothes over the folk sound and adds a classical tone.

Aside from the folkish beat, the album has some regular rock-and-roll. "Sleepwalker" and "Murder 101" feature distortion riffs, heavy drums and bass, which could make them possible radio favorites.

Interscope records

The Wallflowers,  Greg Richling, Jakob Dylan ,Rami Jaffee, Michael Ward and Mario Calire, left to right, released "Breach," their first album in more than four years last Tuesday.