Dr Wippit has done it again, and I have to say I’m not surprised. His first album hit me like a ton of bricks, and this Ep is proof that he not only avoided the dreaded follow-up slump but that he scared it off with his irresistible grooves. Dr Wippit hasn’t just rehashed the formula of his earlier works though; this Ep definitely moves his sound into a more dynamically produced direction. “For Everyone” contains music that forces you to move to it, you really don’t have much choice. Fans of funk, hiphop and rock music won’t be disappointed.
Dr Wippit came onto the Chicago music scene as a guitarist/vocalist for punk/metal band Chronic Jaywalker between ‘91-’96. More Fugazi than Pantera, Chronic Jaywalker set themselves apart from the local metal scene, receiving airplay on local college stations as well as Q101 Chicago’s alternative station. Like many bands with multiple songwriters, it was only a matter of time before the band separated over musical differences.
Since then Dr Wippit has been through a number of bands and musical projects including a cover band, Tastes Like Chicken, where he manages to keep his chops in shape playing lead guitar and singing. However he has always continued with his solo efforts, which includes “An Anthology of Sorts”, a collection of 16 songs, released in 2012, and now the 4-track Ep, “For Everyone”.
Any young fans listening to Dr Wippit may not really comprehend that his sound is stooped in vintage rock. There is the all-familiar foot-stomping beats and pounding bass set to a scenery of fuzzy and scorching guitar licks. The songs are punched full of edginess, distortion, and vocal antics. Hardly what you’ll you find on most of today’s ‘soft underbelly’ recordings.
“For Everyone” is a stunning example of how to successfully blend musical diversity to a common theme, while retaining a compelling melodic core. Gritty, throbbing threads of the good old funky days and sweet-toothed vocal harmonies are seamlessly mixed into raw, blistering garage guitar rock -and then embraced by gut-grabbing, hook-filled pop ethos.
In a world where pop and robot music seems to rule the airwaves, it’s nice to hear an artist that plays real instruments, creates great music and manages to not fall flat after the first 2 songs of the Ep. Tracks like “For Everyone” and “Swimming” hit hard to satisfy your rock n’ roll craving while “Paying For Lessons” blends in some alternative/indie flair without sugar-coating your ears with excessive pop crap. “Yup” belts out a funky bass beat which underlines the melodic and swaying rap rhymes.
There is a lot of energy that pumps through this Ep. From the first track all the way to the last song, it’s a ride. The Ep’s journey could have been predictable, but Dr Wippit doesn’t stick to a linear progression in his musical style, instead scattering its eclectic influences and effects all over the Ep, keeping it fresh and leaving you wanting more.
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