Guitar Magazine
November 2004

WRECKLESS ERIC
Bungalow Hi
(Southern Domestic)
Having come to prominence on Stiff Records in the late '70s, Wreckless Eric's story includes bankruptcy, time spent in a mental institution and - most harrowing of all - working with George Hamilton IV. This suburban eccentric's latest release is a loveable blend of wiry electric, faltering acoustics and the kind of wierdness that would make Joe Meek proud. These idiosyncratic, lo-fi sonics are used to deliver Eric's take on how the minutiae of life affects the big picture for us all. Often called a great English institution, he's languished in obscurity for far too long - the comeback (hopefully) starts here.
 





I never said working for George Hamilton IV was the most harrowing of all - that's his construction, a witty side swipe at George, possibly meant to demonstrate how much more groovy we are than him. Without wishing to labour the point, I've found alcoholism infinitely more harrowing.


I find the word loveable in this context slightly patronising, and I don't think that anyone who's seen me play would describe my acoustic playing as faltering, but I'll let it pass.

The press blurb that was sent out with the album referred to the lo-fi recordings that I've made in the past. That's why the reviews keep mentioning this. They automatically assume that Bungalow Hi is lo-fi, but it isn't.
I don't understand this idea of it being my take on how the minutiae of life affects the big picture but perhaps I'm missing something.
I haven't been languishing and obscurity is a relative concept - just because they weren't looking at me doesn't mean I wasn't there. I haven't been in a deep freeze all this time.
I'm hopefully hoping that the comeback starts here too. I think this is really a very nice review.