Little Red Wolf

One of the most common pitfalls for music that exists under the broad category of “folk” is that uncreative instrumentation can make it painfully boring. Such is certainly not the case with Little Red Wolf’s debut album, If Only We Were Just Like We Are. The album rewards multiple listens with rich and varied instrumentation. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Neko Case and the Ditty Bops, whose influence can be heard throughout, Little Red Wolf has succeeded in creating a very complete first record.

As a genre, “folk” or “pop folk” might be too limiting to describe what Little Red Wolf is capable of, anyway. Band members Meghan Rose, Kelly Maxwell, Laura Detert and Emily Mills each clearly bring a love for making their sound dynamic with a very wide range of technical proficiencies as musicians, especially with strings. Featuring a variety of guitars, a piano, harmonica, accordion, fiddle and incredibly sweet multi-part harmonies, it is impressive that Little Red Wolf’s music isn’t more chaotic. Overall, the album is crisp, cohesive and very well produced – at times perhaps even too polished in some places – but there is enough variety in their songs to keep listeners of all backgrounds happy.

If Only We Were Just Like We Are is at its best when the tempo gets going and the lyrics get darker. With a piano hook that will resonate for days, standout "Many Words" could easily be at home in the rotation of college radio stations all over North America. On the opening track, "Let It Go," the band deals with issues of loss, regret and rebirth all in a mildly subversive singsong voice. Elsewhere, on the track "Welcome to Rest," they sing of becoming increasingly complacent with life saying, “I don’t feel anything. I find it hard to be positive,” while later suggesting that the metaphysical consequences of death might not be so bad – a dark note that is cleverly hidden by a seemingly casual melodic structure.

The band’s music might benefit from a little imperfection and roughness, but Little Red Wolf has offered a first effort that will leave people who appreciate thoughtful music wondering what they might be capable of in the coming years. - Dane101.com

If you're an acoustic-roots music fan, check in to the Brink Lounge by 7 p.m. Friday. You'll be treated to the swooning vocal harmonies of Little Red Wolf. The Madison quartet's instrumentation includes viola, accordion, keys, guitars, bass and drums. On songs like "Bella in the Elm," the band turns up its amps and rocks. - Isthmus

There's nothing more satisfying than discovering a new band that you can't wait to share with as many people as possible. Therefore, there's nothing more interesting or worthwhile that I'd rather share with you today than this clip from Madison's newest (and best) new band, Little Red Wolf. Here they are, performing their first song at their first live show; so even if you weren't there, you can still earn hipster cred and say 'I saw 'em first!'

Some of you will recognize the scarlet-mohawked drummer as notorious Madison gadabout (and CDP Alumni), Emily Mills. Now, Emily is a proud member of about...oh...164 different local bands, but LRW to me, seems like the one most poised on the edge of something serious. Sure, they're all adorable and perky and whatnot (which doesn't hurt a bit), but their songwriting prowess, seamless multi-instrumentation (Ms. Mills plays both the accordion and drums at the same time) and gorgeous harmonies speak on a much larger plane than a group of musically-inclined friends with nothing better to do. These women are not messing around in the least.

So, for goodness sake, check out the clip. And hey, if you dig what you hear, click on the LRW link to hear a six-pack of free tunes and get in on something new and wonderful.

http://communistdanceparty.blogspot.com/2009/09/there-aint-outlet-big-enough-for-plug.html - The CDP

There's nothing more satisfying than discovering a new band that you can't wait to share with as many people as possible. Therefore, there's nothing more interesting or worthwhile that I'd rather share with you today than this clip from Madison's newest (and best) new band, Little Red Wolf. Here they are, performing their first song at their first live show; so even if you weren't there, you can still earn hipster cred and say 'I saw 'em first!'

Some of you will recognize the scarlet-mohawked drummer as notorious Madison gadabout (and CDP Alumni), Emily Mills. Now, Emily is a proud member of about...oh...164 different local bands, but LRW to me, seems like the one most poised on the edge of something serious. Sure, they're all adorable and perky and whatnot (which doesn't hurt a bit), but their songwriting prowess, seamless multi-instrumentation (Ms. Mills plays both the accordion and drums at the same time) and gorgeous harmonies speak on a much larger plane than a group of musically-inclined friends with nothing better to do. These women are not messing around in the least.

So, for goodness sake, check out the clip. And hey, if you dig what you hear, click on the LRW link to hear a six-pack of free tunes and get in on something new and wonderful.

http://communistdanceparty.blogspot.com/2009/09/there-aint-outlet-big-enough-for-plug.html - The CDP

Madison's Favorite New Band
1. Little Red Wolf
2. Shaneshane
3. Sexy Esther & the Pretty Mama Sisters

The female rockers of Little Red Wolf caught your attention with soaring harmonies and unusual colors provided by such instruments as accordion and viola.

http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=26724 - Isthmus

Madison's Favorite New Band
1. Little Red Wolf
2. Shaneshane
3. Sexy Esther & the Pretty Mama Sisters

The female rockers of Little Red Wolf caught your attention with soaring harmonies and unusual colors provided by such instruments as accordion and viola.

http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=26724 - Isthmus