Wendy and Lisa [Official Site]

The Tyra Banks Show was a repeat today so I decided to take it out on the Wendy & Lisa Forum. Does anyone else want to discus the Musing Blog? Anyways, here's what I got...

Amy Scholder said- But the amazing thing about Wendy & Lisa is that they have built a sound all their own, deeply referencing the best sounds from the 70s and today's ethereal alternative rock. Clearly, when this duo gets into the studio, they don't get out for a long time. All vocals and instrumentation are their own, creating an ultra-lush, post-psychedelic sound. The lyrics wrap around the music like a good drug entering your bloodstream.

If you go to Wendy & Lisa’s Myspace page you can see that they list Joni Mitchel and David Bowie (lots more but I can't remember all) as their influences and I’m always sort of perplexed why people make such a huge deal about who influened them (probably because they are sooo hard to peg). I especially don’t like when people say that they’re Prince protégé’s because I think they got that twisted but whatever, people will say…I did really like how Amy put it. There’s nothing wrong with deeply referencing the best sounds of the 70’s, although I disagree with her on that... I don’t think W&L are deeply reference anything. I do agree with the rest of what she said. They’re music has always been an incredible gift to me, certain songs automatically pressing me to be more mindful or whatever. But I think her useing the drug reference is insensitive or perhaps just ignorant.

Lisa Cholodenko (I love her last name!!!) said- “But although the album draws beautifully from a host of inspirations with a highly original result, it is ultimately inspired most by the world of deep feeling. White Flags of Winter Chimneys is truly a testament to Wendy and Lisa's singular ability to delve bravely into their own sorrows and joys and to find for those feelings a sonic expression that is sumptuously their own.”

Yes, yes, I totally agree with this statement and I think it’s probably what makes W&L different, the “singular ability to delve bravely into their own sorrows and joys and to find for those feelings a sonic expression that is sumptuously their own.” Because really I can’t think of any other artist who truly does this right now. Maybe it’s just me. When I first heard heard Bring You Back, I felt so sad for the songwriter; never, ever imagining it would ever apply to me. That song, Bring You Back, if you lose someone, you better stay away from that track for a good 3 months, people. I know of what I speak. Anyway, leave it to them to create something living breathing that we will all probably need someday.

Also, Lisa talked about Wendy telling her about being at Joni Mitchels house with Prince and Lisa, and a'course Joni and Prince playing 'A Case of You'. Just the image of that was very profound to me. If I could choose 4 people to be on a desert island with, it'd be them. Oh yeah, and the island would be somewhere in Figi and well-stocked with bud-lite.

Susan Rodgers said- Their work is more than craft - the assemblage of parts or maneuvers - it incorporates the genius of reinvention and original thought. This is music that is best appreciated with a level of knowledge but getting to know it is like learning about sculpture or painting.

… I'm so happy to have a new Wendy & Lisa album to visit and to hear life (our lives, not just theirs) interpreted musically as only they do.

I just totally agree with this statement. Susan Rodgers gets it. I’m slavishly dedicated to their records like some people love Star Wars because I actually hear my own life reflected and dang- they make it sound cool, survivable, like we can make it through this and make it look good. So thanks W&L.

Mmmkay, Judge Judy is on and it's not a repeat as far as I know-

Jen