Wolverine - Still
Candlelight Records
2006
CD

Reviewer: The Goat

So I had heard that Wolverine was comparable to Opeth in their prog influenced sound and I am inclined to admit that this is true.  Before I read their biographical information, I thought, “this sounds like Dream Theater meets Opeth.”  Lo and behold, the bio identifies these same influences and comparisons.  I would also add that Anathema and Porcupine Tree (which considering Steve Wilson's affiliation with the O-Boyz should stand to reason) also should be added to this list. 

I will say that this album for me was hit and miss.  I like Anathema a lot.  I like Opeth even more (which is an understatement).  I dig Porcupine Tree's Opeth and Tool twistedness.  Dream Theater has been a long standing favorite as well.  So, it should follow that I would like this album, right?  To this, I give an indifferent “Ehhh.” 
Wolverine definitely will appeal to the fans of these bands.  While Stefan Zell's voice is quite epic and soaring, I just find it too plain and smooth.  It reminds me of an easy listening singer's voice, like Michael Buble (I haven't actually heard this dude sing but I imagine it is similar), or that dude from Stryper.  Stefan Zell has a nice voice, “nice” as in when a girl tells you she thinks you're “nice” or damns you with being a “nice guy.”  There is no darkness or despair in his voice to distinguish him from his contemporaries.

Musically, Wolverine runs the gamut.  Quite often they follow Anathema's Pink Floyd-esque style (see “Taste of Sand,” “Nothing More,” and “Bleeding”).  They do some interesting things on “ Sleepy Town ,” that reminds me of something that would be found on a Radiohead album.  “Bleeding” is the one song I really liked and where the Dream Theater comparison can most prominently be found.  Unfortunately, the worst song on the album is “Liar on the Mount” which features samples of Prez Dubya and seems very out of place.  I presume this song is a political one.

On a more semantic note, I have issues with a band named “Wolverine” that plays such mellow music.  Perhaps, this is just some sort of post-modern existential joke on me.

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