April 1st, 2009 5:57 pm

Wes Carr: “The Way the World Looks”

From the toe tapping “Feels Like Woah” to the reflective “Light Years”, you’re in for a roller coaster of emotion, soul and feel good tunes from Wes Carr.

“The Way the World Looks” definitely seems like an apt title for Mr. Carr’s debut album as our ‘Australian Idol’; with his career and fame skyrocketing higher and higher each day, life must seem like quite a blessing though this muso’s eyes.

From the first beat, you know the kind of album you’re in for.

It kicks off with a bang with “Any Other Way”, which features the same bouncy British sensibilities of  The Fratellis.

Wes’ catchy no. 2 single “Feels Like Woah” (which is now the 2009 NRL anthem) bridges us to the fist pumping ”Fearless”, which feels like a promo track for Network Ten’s ‘The Biggest Loser’. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw commercials for the next season running with this track.

Other notable tracks from the album are “When We Were Kings”, a strong anthemic rock tune which progressively builds to a grand chorus, and the similarly bold ”Stay Awake”, which is reminiscent of Gavin Degraw’s 2003-04 hit single ”I Don’t Want To Be” (which went on to become the ‘One Tree Hill’ theme song).

The tone shifts for “Hurricanes”, which feels like a Jack Johnson inspired reggae tune. Wes’ states on his website that he wrote the song while trying to escape a hurricane in Fiji at the beginning of the year.

We’re treated to equally different tones in the softer, Aqualung-esque, piano driven ”Light Years”, the chilled out “Love Is an Animal” and the musing tracks “East Coast” and “The Way the World Looks”.

It’s hard to pick key highlights from the album, with all the tracks bringing something new and unique to the ears. I gather it’ll be a difficult decision to choose the next single from the album, as it’s filled with a plethora of iconic and addictive tracks.

It’s definitely one of the most well rounded debut albums we’ve seen from an ‘Idol’ winner so far, but perhaps that’s more due to the fact that Mr. Carr was already such a well defined artist before landing on ‘Idol’.

From Wes’ humble beginnings at the Robin Hood Hotel in Waverley, to centre stage at the Sydney Opera House forecourt last September; it must’ve been quite an adventure for the Bondi local and “The Way the World Looks” is a testament to his achievements.

The future only looks bright for this accomplished artist.

“The Way the World Looks” is available in stores now and online from iTunes.