El Rey cover

El Rey

The Wedding Present · 2008

45 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A vibrant blend of jangly guitars and catchy melodies layered with introspective lyrics and a distinct indie rock flair.

Why this album works

Upon its release, 'El Rey' received positive reviews from critics, with highlights in publications like NME and The Guardian praising its melodic strength. The album's single, 'Santa Ana Winds', significantly contributed to revitalizing interest in the band and solidified their reputation as enduring figures in the indie rock genre.
Best for
steady mid-tempo groove catchy melodies for sing-alongs introspective lyrics for reflection
Context
Released on May 20, 2008, 'El Rey' marked The Wedding Present's return after a five-year hiatus following their previous album, 'Take Fountain'. By this point in their career, the band had transitioned into a more mature sound while retaining their signature energetic style, showcasing their evolution as musicians. This album also came during a period where they were re-establishing themselves within the indie rock scene.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Santa Ana Winds Standout 3:56
  • 2 Spider‐Man on Hollywood Standout 3:30
  • 3 I Lost the Monkey 3:50
  • 4 Soup 3:49
  • 5 Palisades 3:51
  • 6 The Trouble With Men Standout 5:22
  • 7 Model, Actress, Whatever… 3:58
  • 8 Don’t Take Me Home Until I’m Drunk 3:07
  • 9 The Thing I Like Best About Him Is His Girlfriend (Santa Monica and La Brea version) 4:34
  • 10 Boo Boo 6:23
  • 11 Swingers 3:05

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata