The Wireless EP (Nonesuch, 2015)
Punch Brothers
Reviewed by Lee Zimmerman
"The Wireless," a five-song EP released in time for the holidays, is likely something of a stopgap effort primed to excite the faithful prior to the release of their next LP. It serves its purpose to be sure, a series of intriguing interludes that spotlight every aspect of Punch Brother's varied approach. Opening track "In Wonder" is as dreamy as its title suggests, while the sprightly instrumental that follows, "The Hops of Guldenberg," hints at some fond remembrance of a German beer hall celebration. The vampish "Sleek White Baby" with its spoken broadcast interlude offers another example of the Brothers' derring do, and leads nicely into the pluck and ramble of the telling "No More. Yet" and the set's closing ballad "Clementine."
Punch Brothers' main hindrance seems to be the constant solo activity of each of its members, an element which inevitably makes full gatherings for recording purposes a matter of deliberate strategizing. Still, it's great to see the band making an ongoing attempt at creating new music, especially when it's as fruitful as "The Wireless."
CDs by Punch Brothers
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