By Megan King
Imagine that you’re in a tiny little band from Massachusetts just trying to get some exposure in the music industry. You release your debut album, Medeiros, on an obscure record label in 1997, and your sophomore effort, Hope and Adams in 1999. As a result, you are signed to Nude Records in 2000, only to have your label close up shop soon after. What’s next for you, you ask? Well, if you ask Wheat, they’ll tell you to sign with Columbia Records, in conjunction with big-time indie label Aware Records.
Almost four years since their last album, Wheat makes their triumphant return with Per Second, Per Second, Per Second… Every Second. Combining the perfect amount of mainstream and alternative, Wheat’s third release is sure to gain loyal followers.
On the first track, “I Met a Girl,” Wheat shows the catchy, yet unconventional melodic hooks that won the hearts of Columbia execs. The next song, “Breathe,” slows down a bit, but is not any less appealing, and one of the standout tracks on the album. “These are Things” demonstrates some back-up vocals from Toad the Wet Sprocket front man, Glen Phillips. It also introduces a piano to add some more instrumental support. “Some Days” shows off singer Scott Levesque’s strong voice, yet the track still shows an uncanny resemblance to Irish rockers, U2. Slower tracks like “Hey, So Long (Ohio)” and “The Beginner” display the band’s indie rock roots, with legendary producer Dave Fridmann working his magic for the band, once again. Track 11, “Closer to Mercury,” is one of the catchiest songs on the album. A highlight of the album, Wheat shows that they have the ability to diversify into different sounds and genres. Wheat even decides to remake a previously recorded song, “Don’t I Hold You,” and put it on the CD as a hidden track for those loyal and devoted fans.Per Second, Per Second, Per Second….Every Second is a great third album release from a seemingly unknown band. Hopefully, though, with their batch of extremely catchy, faultless pop-rock songs mixed with indie rock tunes, Wheat might just get the recognition and success that they deserve.