Reviews of The Waylons debut CD, The Waylons:
Unjustly overlooked thus far, this indie four-piece bangs
out a good line in ‘hardfolk’ and, on the strength of this record, deserve to
be snapped up by a decent label.
Reviving the lost art of melody with jangly guitars and ‘proper’ choruses, they
manage to sound accessible without ever getting sugary or predictable...The name ‘The Waylons’ suggests country but
this is about as country as The Replacements; i.e., not at all...
Apparently the word is spreading that this New York band is up for greater
things and, obviously, for good reason. In the fine tradition of bands as
far back as The Kinks to more modern outfits like Buffalo Tom, The Waylons
give the (sometimes unfashionable) three minute pop song the credibility it seems to
have lost over the years. The next album will be on a major label. Guaranteed.
-Americana UK
(read the full review here)
When you consider this band, the pieces just don't fit. Although you'd
think they are, The Waylons are not a country nor an alternative country band...instead of looking like New York rockers, the four individuals in this band look
extraordinarily normal. But just pop The Waylons (the album is self-titled)
into your CD player and suddenly all the pieces fit together
perfectly. This is instantly familiar classic pop that you've never heard before.
If the folks in The Waylons end up being a success, it will most likely be the
result of hard work and extraordinarily good word-of-mouth. Although they aren't
blowing their own horns loudly for the world to hear, word is slowly
spreading about what great songs this band has. Apparently, music is really
and truly the main focus of these folks' efforts. This, their first
full-length album, is embarrassingly honest and genuine. So much so
that this band puts many other New York bands to shame. Who needs leather and
make up and images and hair dye...when all you really need are good songs?...
Killer tunes include "Front Porch," "Ship,"
"Day For Night," "Take Me Out," "I Will Let You Know," and "Postcard."
There are no musical gimmicks or labels involved here because
there is no need for them. For our own personal tastes, bands just
don't get much better than this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Rating: 6 (out of 6 stars)
-LMNOP.com - BabySue.
A Top Pick for August, 2006.
New York's The Waylons' self-titled full-length debut is a solid rock/pop album
with country charm. While not as sugary as some Tullycraft or early Of Montreal,
The Waylons do play Splenda hooks and have playful sing-alongs a plenty...This full-length debut is, overall, an
accessible and very enjoyable listen. Despite the band's claim it is "not a country band,"
there are some young cowboys in there somewhere. It’s a shame they don’t
indulge themselves more, because their countrified moments are
some of their best. Examples include the sadly devoted "Day for Night" and the
at-ends ballad "Take Me Out." A charming country-tinge appears even in tracks
with chord structures much removed from the oft-vilified genre, as in
two of the best tracks, the love-sick "Twenty-six" and the near-perfect "Stunning"....
-Delusions of Adequacy
Reviews of The Waylons EP:
Download the Waylons at I-tunes.
...the great songs are packed with enough pop goodness
to leave me wanting more." -LW
Punk Planet. Issue #66, March
and April, 2005.
...This six-song EP presents a young band with a real
knack for writing great guitar pop. The tunes are meaningful, sincere,
and instantly memorable...and feature some wonderfully intertwined
guitars. The overall sound is timeless ... What more can we say...?
(Rating: 5)
LMNOP
Read the review at www.lmnop.com
...It's no mean feat to be able to craft a genuinely
good pop song, much less one that doesn't sound hollow or fake.
The self-titled EP by Brooklyn's The Waylons has craftsmanship in
spades. The six cuts here are, for the most part, a winning medley
of R.E.M. jangle and country poetics. The charmingly crafted melodies
...lend these songs a heft and professionalism that seems effortless.
Sponiczine
Read the review at www.sponiczine.com
Editor's Pick at www.smother.net