Big Wreck - Ghosts - Come What May

Come What May, slashes where the Canadian single Ghosts, glides. Like bookends on the album's stylistic forays, they frame the range of approaches on this magnificent effort.

The opening sounds like a tighter, less bombastic Foo Fighters riff. Then it takes on a bit of the Police. Ian dabbled with a Police-ish feel on Tiny Pictures' Man Overboard, but it felt caught between Big Wreck's heavy pacing and that punk Police clip. CWM has finally figured out that formula. The chord progression is VERY Andy Summers. Even the that baseline has that Synchronicity feel. Big Wreck are again mining the very BEST of the 80's in this track. It is also one of those tracks that displays the lineage between the roots rock of Springsteen, the poly rhythms of the Police and the frenetic drive of the Foos.

When I first heard this I played it like 10 times in a row. It's so bouncy and energetic! Certainly the fastest Big Wreck track to date. It has an almost punk pace.

As spare and tight as the guitars are, the bass is full and meaty and drives the track. Chuck is channeling pure Stuart Copeland in both style and swing. It swells full in the chorus and an audience of Ian's joins in to "Throw myself in the river!" It gets sooo full that I can almost hear Sprinsteen's Roy Bittan piano chops banging out in the background!

That back and forth between tight and explosive only lays more distance between in the second section. The guitars go totally tight slash as Ian sings 

I'm fed up with the pace of saving face

I'm squeezing what I can't replace

Squeezing what he considers the precious parts of life… until they are missing pieces… again. Squeeze tight until it releases… and oh it does. The chorus is amazingly cathartic! The bass and drums pound it out and Ian throws in one of his great tumble down bumble bee accent runs that we all love. As we all long for deliverance and Ian pleads to be baptismally cleaned in the river… we are pleading for a signature solo to carry us off…. but not this time…. it's a sweet cup of Ian a cappella that would make the Beach Boys proud!  What a way to end a track!

Surprise! An 8 count and the chorus slams back in! So DAMNED EXHILARATING!

Come What May

Break off a little piece of happiness

No body gets hurt more or less

Whatever it takes to get you through

The night is gonna have to do

Under the weight of daily bread

You'd rather wake to cake instead

Would you believe a photograph

Was all it took and all that's left

Of missing pieces

I throw myself in the river

I need to wash my head and float away

'Cause I know that I'll be delivered

Everything cast adrift

Come what may

I'm fed up with the pace of saving face

I'm squeezing what I can't replace

Fiddled with the fire 'til I got burned

With all I've lost you'd think I'd learned

By missing pieces

I throw myself in the river

I need to wash my head and float away

'Cause I know that I'll be delivered

Everything cast adrift

Come what may

I throw myself in the river

I need to wash my head and float away

Because they told me that I'll be delivered

Everything cast adrift

Come what may