Alan Wilkis’ Babies Dream Big LP

I feel like a flake. Mr. Wilkis sent me Babies Dream Big a couple weeks ago and since then he’s recieved airplay on BBC radio show - not bad. Moving on…

…the problem with Babies Dream Big is the same problem that this here site suffers from - the inability to establish exactly what it wants to be. From beginning to end Alan Wilkis bounces around in style, sound, and influence, which makes for an inconsistent, yet hopeful record.

The album really is all over the place and his influenced are varied. You’ll hear the Flaming Lips, Black Keys, Run DMC, and Chaka Khan. Babies Dream Big seems like Wilkis’ chance to explore and really figure out what he wants to do with his sound.

Which is one of the problems of easily accessible recording software - they negate the trial and error process that used to occur before one would record their sound. Of course there are positives to the widespread and easy DIY software available now. For one, it takes power away from record companies and puts it in the hands of music fans and consumers, it allows artists to follow their vision, and theoretically it should make music incredibly cheap. But it also has the power to allow for creation before a clear vision of purpose.

Now, it’s clear that Wilkis has a keen affinity for soul music and I Wanna Know, arguably the best song on the album - and it is a good song - is a straightforward soul/blues track. He puts effects on his voice, but the lyrics are wonderfully simple and simply fitting. You might say they were less lame than the previous sentence, no?

Alan Wilkis - I Wanna Know

And Wilkis tries to insert that soul sensibility into other tracks, to varying degrees of success. For example, the Tell Me Something Great influenced It’s Been Great (sans talk box), Milk and Cookies, In My Dreams, and I’m Famous begin to flesh out his electronic soul aspirations with varying degrees of success.

Alan Wilkis - It’s Been Great [stream]

I really hope Alan Wilkis is able to strengthen and more acutely focus his musical vision. He has potential and is clearly not afraid to try different things. Sticking with soul ain’t a bad idea.

Buy Babies Dream Big.

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