Wednesday 13

Fans of Wednesday 13 have come to love and appreciate a combination of campiness and glam that embodies his music, creating the yin and yang staple that blend seamlessly Wednesday's prior bands Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13 and Murderdolls, and his solo albums, Transylvania 90210 (2005) and Fang Bang (2006). With the anticipation of his newest effort, Skeletons, also came expectations; and it was expected that Skeletons would begin where Fang Bang ended, showcasing 13's songwriting abilities through campy lyrics and glam hooks.

But Skeletons is different. Although it still contains some of the expected campiness as its predecessors, the album mirrors a darker period in Wednesday's life resulting in themes focused less on the horrific and the shocking. Yet that doesn't mean there is a dichotomic relationship between Skeletons and Fang or Transylvania. His art and craftiness in this case comes not from the campy, but rather his subtlety. Some of the same songs on Skeletons that are thematically more fun can also be heard as musical and lyrical reflections of Wednesday's darker mindset, proving there is room for the darker and more serious among the humor.

Among some of the classic Wednesday 13 sounds are "Gimmie Gimmie Bloodshed," "From Here to the Hearse" and "No Rabbit in the Hat," each using catchy hooks and fast guitars to appeal to fans of Wednesday's previous endeavors. It's the songs that delve down the darker end of the spectrum however that provide much of the muscle behind Skeletons. The title track, "My Demise" and "Dead Carolina," each reflect a more haunting side of Wednesday, exploring such themes as regret, suppressed memories, dark secrets and death.

Skeletons proves closer to Transylvania than Fang Bang, with its heavier riffs, haunting tones, pounding drums and deeply personal lyrics. Skeletons is not only a reflection of Wednesday, but it’s also his strongest collection of complete songwriting to date.

Released digitally the same day as Skeletons, and available for purchase only at Wednesday 13 live shows or through digital retailers, Bloodwork offers two B-Sides which are the strongest parts of the 25-minute EP. Both "B-Movie Babylon" and "Return of the Living Dead" are worthy of inclusion on Skeletons, and even more so on Transylvania. Also included are a valiant cover of Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down A Dream" that has its Wednesday 13 moments while still sticking relatively close to the original (sorry Del, you’ve been replaced by Jack), and a 2007 version of the Murderdolls anthem, "I Love to Say Fuck," with its minor differences. The EP closes with acoustic versions of "Skeletons" and "My Demise." Although both versions expectedly lack the intensity of their electric better halves, there is something gritty and unsettling about Wednesday's voice on the acoustic versions. In both instances, the songs' darker tones are achieved through vocals rather than the music. Overall, Bloodwork is a great complement to Skeletons. If for no other reason, "B-Movie" and "Return" are worth Bloodwork's price, and the rest are definite added bonuses.

—Andrew Gargano
08.11.08