THE WAY DOWN WANDERERS
2016 - Self Released
It's not difficult to understand why so many people 'in the know' think the Way Down Wanderers are going to be the 'next big thing' in roots music. They are young and don't just update old time music but take many of the instruments that drove early 20th century 'hillbilly' music and use them to play their own modern songs, often in turn blending them with a modern contemporary instrumentation. They do it so well and to such a degree that the 'old time music' (which often only seems to appeal to a minority, albeit an ever growing minority) is given a new and vital lift but without ever losing sight of the slightly 'home made' edge, or even on occasions a strong, modern 'rock' element.
They are driven by a youthful vitality that many would kill to possess, but don't worry this is no mere 'boy band.' It is a five piece of accomplished musicians who have genuinely updated 'old time music' for the twenty first century but without ever straying too far from the generic thread that has been passed down through the decades. I'm pretty sure that if any of the 'old timers' from the 1920s could hear this album they would approve, thinking as I do, that this is a direct development and updating of their musical style that hasn't simply become yet another off shoot or sub genre. I'm a fan of the old music and whilst I wouldn't say I love everything on this recording it is most definitely an excellent album and one that needed to be made, not only to keep the thread of 'old time' music developing but also to try to get a younger generations interest and show that the direct descendant of the original 'hillbilly' music is vital, modern and can appeal to all, something this hugely talented band have most certainly achieved.
The band members are Austin Thompson on lead vocals and guitar, Collin Krause, vocals, mandolin, violin and electric guitar, John Williams, vocals and upright bass, John Merikoski on drums and percussion, with Travis Kowalsky playing banjo and fiddle, even including Critter Fuqua (Old Crow Medicine Show), playing the accordion on one track. This is not just a band of young lads who got together to make some music but a band of 'musicians' from various musical backgrounds, some having mastered their instruments in a formal setting, who all love traditional music and are talented enough to be able to develop their already excellent playing in the band format and come up with a bunch of excellent songs. They are apparently a great live band as well, something that actually shines through in the form of their exuberance on this studio recording. Unless you are already a quality musician, at home with your instruments, it is not possible to play in such a relaxed manner but at the same time with the fire and drive that this band possesses.
If I have a criticism, and I'm still not sure of its relevance, it would be that on occasions there seems to be a little too much going on in trying to fit too much in the way of instrumentation into some of the songs. They have some tremendous ideas and huge talent but on occasions I found myself wondering what instrument would crop up next, feeling that at times, certainly not on every song, less could very well have equated to more. Having said that it is a tremendous album of flowing ideas and in many ways, as their debut, is an experimental recording on which they are finding their way and establishing their style. If any other reviews include these reservations hopefully the band will not be put off stretching their boundaries; I suppose I just feel there are enough ideas on this recording for a couple of albums, but they are certainly a welcome breath of fresh air in roots music.
Things get underway with Dead birds, the melodic sawing fiddles driving the song on before being joined by Austin Thompsons lead vocal, banjo, twangy electric guitar, piano, bass and thudding percussion with some tremendous band harmonies. The arrangement is dense but the use of banjo and Thompsons distinctive, appealing vocals ensures the rootsiness is to the fore. Acoustic guitar and lead vocal get Sweet morning vision going, joined by banjo and eventually bass with some tremendous harmonies. There is the eventual inclusion of the fiddle and as the song takes off there is more of an arranged feel and a perspective that seems to change, giving the excellent song an epic feel. Hollow man again starts with just acoustic guitar and lead vocal on a composition that has a folksy feel, joined eventually by cello and an excellent harmony vocal. The sparseness provides a welcome break, despite the song eventually getting a lift from fiddle and banjo that solidify the sound but without over doing things; even the addition of mandolin towards the end merely emphasizes the atmosphere and power of the performance. At the start of Blacktop highway the vocal has an added intensity, with the acoustic guitar eventually joined by cello, before the addition of keyboards, electric guitar bass and percussion adding to the dense arrangement. Finally, Silver days starts with the deep mournful cello, joined by the lead vocal, eventually added to by accordion and keyboards with the perspective of the song gradually changing as the steel guitar and fiddle join in.
I've seen the Wayward Wanderers music described as alt. folk/Americana a label that fits them more accurately than anything else I can come up with. There is originality and a real individuality that I suspect will make them easily recognizable before very much longer. It is not just Austin Thompson's highly individual, keening vocal style that makes them recognizable either. Much of it is their exuberant playing, the excellent original songs and the modern arrangements that set them apart from the pack in much the same way as artists such as the Felice Brothers or the Old Crow Medicine Show did (and continue to do) when they started out. There may be a few vague stylistic similarities but generally this is a highly individual and original collective. A tremendous album by a young band that could well be destined for great things.
http://thewaydownwanderers.com/
It's not difficult to understand why so many people 'in the know' think the Way Down Wanderers are going to be the 'next big thing' in roots music. They are young and don't just update old time music but take many of the instruments that drove early 20th century 'hillbilly' music and use them to play their own modern songs, often in turn blending them with a modern contemporary instrumentation. They do it so well and to such a degree that the 'old time music' (which often only seems to appeal to a minority, albeit an ever growing minority) is given a new and vital lift but without ever losing sight of the slightly 'home made' edge, or even on occasions a strong, modern 'rock' element.
They are driven by a youthful vitality that many would kill to possess, but don't worry this is no mere 'boy band.' It is a five piece of accomplished musicians who have genuinely updated 'old time music' for the twenty first century but without ever straying too far from the generic thread that has been passed down through the decades. I'm pretty sure that if any of the 'old timers' from the 1920s could hear this album they would approve, thinking as I do, that this is a direct development and updating of their musical style that hasn't simply become yet another off shoot or sub genre. I'm a fan of the old music and whilst I wouldn't say I love everything on this recording it is most definitely an excellent album and one that needed to be made, not only to keep the thread of 'old time' music developing but also to try to get a younger generations interest and show that the direct descendant of the original 'hillbilly' music is vital, modern and can appeal to all, something this hugely talented band have most certainly achieved.
The band members are Austin Thompson on lead vocals and guitar, Collin Krause, vocals, mandolin, violin and electric guitar, John Williams, vocals and upright bass, John Merikoski on drums and percussion, with Travis Kowalsky playing banjo and fiddle, even including Critter Fuqua (Old Crow Medicine Show), playing the accordion on one track. This is not just a band of young lads who got together to make some music but a band of 'musicians' from various musical backgrounds, some having mastered their instruments in a formal setting, who all love traditional music and are talented enough to be able to develop their already excellent playing in the band format and come up with a bunch of excellent songs. They are apparently a great live band as well, something that actually shines through in the form of their exuberance on this studio recording. Unless you are already a quality musician, at home with your instruments, it is not possible to play in such a relaxed manner but at the same time with the fire and drive that this band possesses.
If I have a criticism, and I'm still not sure of its relevance, it would be that on occasions there seems to be a little too much going on in trying to fit too much in the way of instrumentation into some of the songs. They have some tremendous ideas and huge talent but on occasions I found myself wondering what instrument would crop up next, feeling that at times, certainly not on every song, less could very well have equated to more. Having said that it is a tremendous album of flowing ideas and in many ways, as their debut, is an experimental recording on which they are finding their way and establishing their style. If any other reviews include these reservations hopefully the band will not be put off stretching their boundaries; I suppose I just feel there are enough ideas on this recording for a couple of albums, but they are certainly a welcome breath of fresh air in roots music.
Things get underway with Dead birds, the melodic sawing fiddles driving the song on before being joined by Austin Thompsons lead vocal, banjo, twangy electric guitar, piano, bass and thudding percussion with some tremendous band harmonies. The arrangement is dense but the use of banjo and Thompsons distinctive, appealing vocals ensures the rootsiness is to the fore. Acoustic guitar and lead vocal get Sweet morning vision going, joined by banjo and eventually bass with some tremendous harmonies. There is the eventual inclusion of the fiddle and as the song takes off there is more of an arranged feel and a perspective that seems to change, giving the excellent song an epic feel. Hollow man again starts with just acoustic guitar and lead vocal on a composition that has a folksy feel, joined eventually by cello and an excellent harmony vocal. The sparseness provides a welcome break, despite the song eventually getting a lift from fiddle and banjo that solidify the sound but without over doing things; even the addition of mandolin towards the end merely emphasizes the atmosphere and power of the performance. At the start of Blacktop highway the vocal has an added intensity, with the acoustic guitar eventually joined by cello, before the addition of keyboards, electric guitar bass and percussion adding to the dense arrangement. Finally, Silver days starts with the deep mournful cello, joined by the lead vocal, eventually added to by accordion and keyboards with the perspective of the song gradually changing as the steel guitar and fiddle join in.
I've seen the Wayward Wanderers music described as alt. folk/Americana a label that fits them more accurately than anything else I can come up with. There is originality and a real individuality that I suspect will make them easily recognizable before very much longer. It is not just Austin Thompson's highly individual, keening vocal style that makes them recognizable either. Much of it is their exuberant playing, the excellent original songs and the modern arrangements that set them apart from the pack in much the same way as artists such as the Felice Brothers or the Old Crow Medicine Show did (and continue to do) when they started out. There may be a few vague stylistic similarities but generally this is a highly individual and original collective. A tremendous album by a young band that could well be destined for great things.
http://thewaydownwanderers.com/