ALBUM REVIEW: The Wounded Healer – Preyrs
The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung coined the term ‘wounded physician’ – later evolving to ‘wounded healer’ – not long before his death in the early 1960’s. In essence, it’s the premise that the reason why those who take on patients – doctors, analysts, therapists etc – do so because they themselves are hurting, or wounded. It’s a fascinating concept, and the driving force behind PREYRS‘ debut album of the same name. The brainchild of Northern Irish vocalist Amy Montgomery and MOJO FURY frontman Michael Momecha and initially playing under the moniker of a Montgomery solo project, the newly christened band made their UK festival debut at Bloodstock this summer, with a tour supporting NEW MODEL ARMY in Germany approaching and an appearance at Planet Rock (Winter’s End) scheduled for the end of January.
As for the album itself, it’s a bubbling cauldron of influences and styles, from grunge to industrial and stoner to alternative. It begins in unsettling fashion, the 96-second Humble Eyes a mixture of delay effects from Momecha and a haunted, shimmering warble from Montgomery, with an industrial drum beat making its introduction in the second half. That feel continues into the NINE INCH NAILS inspired Wave of Wisdom, replete with jarring guitars and a slight echo effect on the vocals which give a slightly sinister vibe. Montgomery is the tragic hero throughout, her voice laden with emotion and telling a story of mind over matter, overcoming obstacles to forge a better existence.
She’s an incredibly adept singer – in Zeros, Ones & Lies for example, the combination of her tones and the stoner-esque riffs which develop into a pacier desert rock give an air of BLONDIE‘s Debbie Harry fronting QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE; later on during Change Change, her poppier melodies evoke LADY GAGA, while Nova – which features an excellent spoken word outro that is made to sound like a voicemail – is laced with such anguish you worry you’ll actually hear Montgomery‘s heart breaking at some point in the middle. Yet, when the album reaches closing track Life Is Kind, there is a lightness and glimmer of hope conveyed that, even though things may get worse eventually, they will always get better eventually
On a musical level, Life Is Kind taps into the work of FLEETWOOD MAC more than any other, and adds a final string to a bow heavy with varying styles and sounds. Alongside those already mentioned, tracks like Bring Ur Bruises incorporate fuzzy alt rock and W.D.I.F.L. – short for What Does It Feel Like – plays around with the darker edge of pop; Crucify even brings a bit of punk into play, the final stretch having an abrasive edge that is reminiscent of MARMOZETS. It doesn’t always hit, however, most notably in Into the Blue – the first half is a sparkling, PVRIS-influenced foot tapper with an immersive chorus, but the second half is weird. It goes very stripped back and avant-garde, with guitar feedback and drums, then when the vocals come back in, they do so with an added string section. It doesn’t make much sense – indeed maybe it’s not meant to – however it does just enough to bring you out of the moment and needing to find your way back in.
Full credit to PREYRS, they’ve changed identity and brought out a sterling debut album – there’s little wrong with it and a small ironing out of the creases will see them reach the next level easily. Perhaps the best compliment you can give The Wounded Healer is that there’s an overriding sense it would sound far better in a live setting, so let’s hope PREYRS are back after Winter’s End for a run of shows to allow that experience.
Rating: 7/10
The Wounded Healer is out now via Pelagic Records.
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