I’ve been naughty. I think Mr. Wolf would love it if I hadn’t already read the hand-scrawled letter on his website admonishing people against the early download of his forthcoming release, Wind in the Wires. But, Mr. Wolf, I’ve simply got to disagree here. I know I’ve opened up the presents a few months early, but I couldn’t wait. In listening to Wind, it’s immediately clear that Wolf’s songwriting has taken a great leap forward; sure, there’s the Isle-style poesie and all of his antiquated language manipulations and distortions of imagery, but for the most part, gone are the overwrought and cringe-inducing yarns about child-rape and the queasy distractions of Lycanthropy. Sonically, Wolf has stripped back the electronics a bit, and allows his songs their proper languor, haunted by dried-out violins and Celtic acoustic guitar parts. I, for one, thought Lycanthropy was daring enough to outlive and outgather its rather gaping flaws. It was in my top ten list for the year. 2005 is not yet here, and I fear that I’ve had another top ten entry snatched from my ‘tips.

P.S. As long as I’m in a mood for proper shout-outs this morning, given the Album of the Week this week is Augie March’s Strange Bird, I have to say that the import of their debut, Sunset Studies, is worth the price of carrier-admission as well.