Music review: Wildeyes – 鈥楤eauty & Sadness鈥�
I always love it whenever people make me aware of new bands that I should review. Months ago, Joie Davidson tipped me off to an up-and-coming band that was performing in the area. After checking out the band鈥檚 Facebook page and listening to a few song clips, I was immediately impressed by the Nashville trio and simply had to hear more.
My copy of 鈥淏eauty & Sadness鈥� by Wildeyes arrived last week, and I have been totally enjoying the beautiful harmonies, stellar musicianship and strong songwriting featured on the 11 tracks from the debut release.
For me, the vibe of the new album was reminiscent of Lone Justice鈥檚 1986 album 鈥淪helter.鈥� Led by Maria McKee鈥檚 passionate vocals and memorable tracks such as 鈥淚 Found Love鈥� and 鈥淒ixie Storms,鈥� the sophomore effort by the Los Angeles-based band received a heavy dose of playing time during my senior year of college.
Just like McKee, lead singer Emily Kohavi鈥檚 stirring voice adds depth and meaning to the songs possessing elements of folk, country and Americana.
鈥淭ennessee Is Alive鈥� opens the set with a cautionary tale about protecting the identity and charm of a small town from outsiders wanting to capitalize and cash in for personal greed.
For me, the strength of the album is showcased on three stunning tracks focused on the pain of lost love.
The hurt and regret left behind after a dissolved relationship fuel the sadness of 鈥淣othing Less, Nothing More.鈥� 鈥淓mpty Love鈥� is a desperate declaration of the emptiness experienced after having your heart drained of love by someone unable or unwilling to reciprocate. 鈥淒ying Slow鈥� is another lovely and tragic track about attempting to discover direction and purpose after losing faith as love gradually fades, leaving only emotional scars and self-doubt.
鈥淪unday鈥� offers a heavenly promise of hope on this infectious number that speaks of a spiritual renewing of the mind, body and soul through the inspiration of what a Sunday morning delivers.
鈥淒ance with the Devil鈥� serves as the darker counterpart to 鈥淪unday鈥� with its poignant confessional regarding the struggles of resisting temptation and the guilt that weighs heavy on the heart.
鈥淚 Won鈥檛 Go鈥� softly closes the set with Kohavi鈥檚 dreamy vocals being graciously supported by acoustic guitar and violin on this arrangement about sacrificing everything for the one you love.
If you didn鈥檛 get the right gift this Christmas, treat yourself to this engaging new album from a band that is poised to make it big very soon.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.