The Wanton Bishops is the vision of one man, Nader Mansour. After the release of debut album ‘Sleep With The Lights On,’ a Delta blues record inspired by the likes of RL Burnside and Muddy Waters, Nader journeyed to America’s deep south to experience the roots of Mississippi blues. Nader’s music slowly emerged from the Delta swamps into the Lebanese mountains, and the music of The Wanton Bishops began to reflect Nader’s homeland, his people, and his personal journey.
The Wanton Bishops will release their new album ‘Under The Sun’ this month and it`s ultimately an exploration of identity and a love letter to Beirut, capturing Nader’s kaleidoscopic life journey through a melting pot of musical influences; oriental, electronic, blues, rock n’ roll, psychedelic, surf, synth pop and dance. “It’s Lebanese Rock,” adds Nader, “a new genre, a blueprint for future music. It’s not fusion, it’s confusion, it’s not world music, it’s music from the world, for the world.”
We are introduced to the album with `Don’t You Touch The Radio` a rolling bluesy synthy foot tapper of a number that I read challenges the clichés historically expected of an ageing rock ‘n roller. It`s full of enticing blues-rock riffs and Middle Eastern motifs. We have a tribute to the capital city of Lebanon with `Beirut` which the singer has shared “It’s an ode to an eternal city, to its people and their way of life. The thing about this much adversity, is that it tends to scar, the kind of scars that never heal. But it’s often our own fault. We’ve done her wrong, Beirut! For decades. Ripped her to pieces. Us the people.” It`s a delightful chugging fairly hypnotic blend of West meets Middle East and draws you into its fascinating web.
`Do What You’re Told` is a journey into political mass manipulation, hypnotic technology, and heavy consumerism compensating for a true and meaningful sense of belonging and connection. This is presented over a trip hop nigh on acid house beat. The mesmerising `Ya Habibi` which may translate to my love is an eclectic mix of trippy beats with vocals that sound as if they are transmitted through a loudhailer with danger or warning notices sliced throughout.
`God’s Own Remedy` has a wonderfully moody edgy psychedelic vibe and reminded me of the Doors `This Is The End` for some reason but with a much more experimental searching texture and a shook tambourine leading us along. There`s a fusion of Middle Eastern echoes in `We Are One` a kind of all-embracing anthem for a harmonious existence.
`Gonna Be Fine` is a charmingly distorted bluesy slow burn with lyrics that switch from English to what I presume is Arabic or Lebanese, a captivating head funk of a track. We return with a more Middle Eastern sun-drenched ambience on `Run Run` which increases in volume and depth as it evolves and becomes wonderfully spellbinding.
`Fallen Angel` has a kind of spaghetti western come fifties retro or garage rock texture about it before the album closes out with `Jericho` the Palestinian West Bank city which is one of the oldest cities in the world where our narrator has obviously been smitten by a vision who has inspired this expansive romantic serenade. A superbly intense lament to close out on.
`Under the Sun` is stunning, full stop!! It`s an album that I just kept on repeat and am sure that you will too.
It has some low down and dirty blues vibes but melded with that mysterious allure of the Middle East with all its appealing sounds and spices. It provided a long and lasting warm glow in a cold winters evening.
Rating 9 /10
