Album Mini-review: Flywheels — I’m for the Flowers
File next to: The Bangles, Young Fresh Fellows, Matthew Sweet
When Kim Wonderley takes lead vocals, the Flywheels sound a bit like early Bangles with a subtle touch of country twang. When Eric Scott – who sadly passed away before I’m for the Flowers was completed – sings lead, the group sounds closer to L.A. paisley underground scene of the 1980s: modern-ish rock filtered through a 60’s psychedelic sensibility. Rocking harder than most of their Mystery Lawn labelmates, the flywheels serve up a varied collection of hooky tunes on their debut. “Back of Head” is a stomping garage rocker, while the brief “Take My Wings” sounds like an outtake from Brian Wilson’s SMiLE. More subdued tracks like “Let Me Take You Down (to the Sea)” have a kind of grandeur that suggests the Flywheels have ambitions beyond the three-minute pop song. Allen Clapp’s layered production helps the Flywheels display their many strong musical assets.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.