A river wild

Music | December 3rd, 2014

Wild Hands’ debut album a North Dakota gem

North Dakota music has reached a new level of wild. A four-piece Americana band from Minot, Wild Hands, has just released its debut album, “Oh, River.” And it’s oh so good.

Perhaps Wild Hands is a response to the polished, clean-cut country/rock groups that are popular in North Dakota – groups like Tigirlily and 32 Below. Though even if the guys of Wild Hands didn’t start the band to rebel against the popularity of Tigirlily, they sure are comfortably jangling their country-rock-esque tunes on the opposite end of the style spectrum.

Mixing banjo, electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, keyboards and bass with pleasant vocal melodies and an alternative punch, Wild Hands’ new record almost seems like a product of the Minnesota folk and bluegrass scene. Fans of Charlie Parr, Pert Near Sandstone or Trampled By Turtles may easily find a liking to Wild Hands.

Though Wild Hands is a bit more electric. And lead singer/songwriter Max Patzner has very distinct voice. It’s playful and nasally, yet cool and calm. It catches listeners’ ears the moment they hear it. The album’s first track, “Old Bones,” especially teases listeners with its intro that almost drags on too long for how repetitive it is. Though it makes the moment Patzner starts to sing sound pretty glorious, especially as the full band kicks back in again. The chorus of “Old Bones” is just the icing on cake. While a lot of younger writers struggle with writing memorable choruses, Patzner practically nails one out on every song on “Oh, River.”

As a lyricist, he’s very indirect. What is this place he so often dreams about on “Oh, River”? Who is he singing about? Is he writing about the oil boom? What the heck is a hobo summer? Certainly, there’s lovely poetic quality to his lyrics.

Songs like “Dirty Kids,” “Colorado” and “Cold Conversation” are gems on “Oh, River.” Aside from having great vocal melodies, the tunes’ instrumental ideas are killer. They give the record more character as a whole. The slight distortion and reverb, quirky grooves and the smashing downbeats -- yes!

Though perhaps tunes like “Dirty Kids,” “Old Cloud,” “Cold Conversation” and a few others could use a full drum kit, and not just brushes and a shaker, to better complement and showcase the rhythmic ideas. And The banjo could afford a boost in a few of the tunes as well. Maybe add in a banjo lead down the road? That instrument is too much of a fantastic novelty to ignore.

Overall, “Oh, River” and the band Wild Hands are an extraordinarily refreshing addition to the North Dakota music scene. Dare we say they are the state’s best new band?

Fargo-Moorhead residents can check out Wild Hands open for Charlie Parr this Friday at the Aquarium. Copies of “Oh, River” will be readily available. The album can also be purchased online at Wildhands.bandcamp.com.

Wild Hands’ debut album a North Dakota gem

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