Full disclosure: In the late 1970s, I went to college with David Gedge, the leader of The Wedding Present (or "The Weddoes," as they are known to fans in the U.K.). It was a big school, Leeds University, and we never met while we were there, but it does give me a unique perspective of Gedge's career arc and makes me empathetic to his world view. And because he's traveled and worked so much in America over the years, we have an awful lot of shared experience. David was once called the best writer of contemporary love songs by BBC DJ John Peel, who was a big fan. Now, I'd like to suggest that David Gedge be called the Godfather of English Indie Rock! He's often included in the class of C'86, a famous cassette release by the NME that codified a particular stream of British bands that can loosely be championed as the pioneers of indie over there (which didn't always mean they were on indie labels).

So as the DJ Pick of the Week, I wanted to include one of the many songs inspired by the never-ending mysteries of relationships: "Bear." But I'd love you to dive into the whole album, Going, Going…, released here Nov. 18, and I'd encourage you to go see the Wedding Present when they play The Turf Club on April 22.

So many critics have been bemoaning the lack of good indie-sounding bands this year — Car Seat Headrest carrying the flag bravely — but Gedge is quintessentially emotive and vulnerable in his lyrics, which are delivered in a very conversational way, and his band can seriously rock when they want to! They've put out a steady stream of good albums over the years, with a cast of characters arranged around Gedge, who renamed the project Cinerama at the turn of the century to accommodate the use of strings and of women's voices into his work.

Going, Going… is Gedge's masterpiece, and how often do we use that term about someone who's been doing it for so long?! He not only brings all the elements of his previous work together and includes self-referential lyrical moments to please longtime fans, but he steps up to the plate to attempt to make — wait for it — a great indie-rock opera for the modern age! As an album, Going, Going… is beautifully designed sonically, with a three-song overture to introduce the concept, a story which links the songs together. The songs chronologically detail the end of a long-term, steady relationship as the protagonist dives into an exciting void of potential liaisons, or is it one specifically? That does … no, I don't want to spoil it, because it really is a pleasure to hear the tale unfurl. And watch out for the two false endings to the album, which roars back with encores just when you think it's done. Which in itself is self-referential, as David is notorious for never playing an encore live!

And as if that wasn't enough, David has included a full DVD to go with the CD, as is the style today. Brilliant. I know I'm biased, but if you want to sit with an entire album and revel in it as a piece of long-form art — which is NOT the style today— and have your little indie-rock heart won over with warmth, and robust guitars … Going, Going… is probably for you.

Resources

The Wedding Present - official site

The Wedding Present - 'Going, Going…' (Amazon - CD)

The Wedding Present - 'Going, Going…' (Amazon - Vinyl)

University of Leeds