The Avalanches Trifecta – Wildflower

As I continue this trifecta we now move onto T.A’s sophomore album being released a whole 16 YEARS later, in 2016, Wildflower. Wildflower follows a similar prompt to their debut using samples to create their signature hallucinogenic sample medley of R&B, orchestral pop and much much more.

Much like their predecessor, Since I left you, the album continues to be sonically cohesive, however I couldn’t find a common theme/story within the songs. However, I did feel the record is more of a road trip, as confirmed by the artist that is true.

Robbie Chater stated in and interview with the guardian;

“It starts in a kind of hyperrealistic urban environment, then goes on a road trip to the sea or the desert or the countryside, while you’re on acid. So you start in the city and over the course of the record you end up somewhere far away from there, high as a kite”

While I am yet to try LSD, I think Chater may be telling me I need to take acid, get in my car and drive from the Sydney CBD all the way to Uluṟu. (For realism purposes I will not be doing that as I am not easily influenced, I like my car, and I most likely want to keep my drivers license). However, I may consider listening to this record when I’m a tad more seasoned in LSD use.

I do have many personal favourites from the record such as;

• Because I’m me
• Subways
• If I Was a Folkstar
• Livin’ Underwater (Is Somethin’ Wild
• The Wozard of Iz
• Sunshine

To me, Wildflower is DEFINITELY a spring/summer album, I can definitely see myself driving in my car with the windows down (NOT on LSD), hair blowing in the wind on a warm summer evening on full blast. Or even being in a pub on a hot summers day listening to this over a cold beer and a steak with my good friends in the beer garden.

Subways and If I Was a Folkstar will remain my top 2. Subways samples the classic summertime sound “Warm Ride” by Graham Bonnet, and the lyrics from “Subways” by Chandra. These two put together with surprise samples from Lauryn Hill and the Doobie brothers, truly creates a audio masterpiece. However, the “If I Was a Folkstar” lyrics were written by none other than Toro y Moi (most famous for his songs “The Difference” with Flume and Ordinary Pleasure), after talking LSD on the beach with his wife, soon after their wedding.

Seemingly this album has a lot of LSD linked to it…. But to be fair some of the best music turns out to be linked to drugs so who am I to complain?

“If I Was a Folkstar” contains many a sample, like samples from;

• Hushabye by the Beach Boys
• You think I Ain’t Worth a dollar, But I feel Like A Millionaire by Songs for the Deaf
• Love Is a Many Splendored Thing by Tony Bagwell

Quite the mixed bag no?

Wildflower is definitely an album to listen to if you enjoyed the first one, but was that summery feeling throughout. T.A’s do a fantastic job the second time around creating their classic sounds, even if it took 16 years. This is one to listen to on a road trip I feel, it’s something to listen to driving on the highway, as seemingly intended (just maybe don’t take Robbie Chater’s advice and take LSD behind the wheel ok? – neither him nor I are liable and anything you do is on you).

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Would I recommend this album? Yes, it’s a great follow up to listen to if you enjoyed the first one, but if you like more “poppy” and upbeat music, I would recommend you begin with this one.

I too, own this record, definitely one to add to the collection, However it was VERY hard to find this one in record stores in Sydney… I did have to do an international online order to get this one in, and it took close to a month to arrive to my doorstep.

From what I remember it wasn’t very cheap either, so if you’re looking to collect this one you better make sure you LOVE it as much as I do.

Unfortunately, there is a big BUT when it comes to this album. It’s just that, do I think it’s better than T.A’s debut? As an album? No, and no. HOWEVER, I do happen to favour Subways and If I Was a Folkstar over my top 2 from SILY (Since I Left You & Close to You). I am actually a huge sucker for upbeat sunshine rainbow glitter gel pen pop. Im a woman I literally cannot help it. And besides the fact that I will listen to fun pop songs over depressing music any day of the week (unless I’m going through a break up of course – which hasn’t happened for a while either so I’m not worried).

So if you’re a fan of some quirky, fun music or want to change your listening habits up, I would DEFINITELY recommend Wildflower be added to your list.

Happy listening xx