Customer Reviews

Devolver

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am very impressed with this album and have not stopped listening to it since I got it. Beautiful musicianship and a lovely choice of material, well executed, make this an album to enhance any acoustic music lovers collection. But the main reason I love it is that the band sound like they're having FUN ! , an ingredient often missing these days! Living in the UK means that I have never seen the Waybacks live, so hopefully they will be making a trip across the 'pond' soon. I can't wait!

If you live anywhere in their performing sphere of influence, run - don't walk - to the next Waybacks gig. They can do things live that would probably melt most recording devices. If you can't see them live or if, like me, you don't get to see them live often enough to suit the itch, get the CD. I've probably worn out one CD by now. It's really fun music. A little bit of many styles blended together by incredible musicianship. Their rendition of Witch of the Westmereland is phenomenal.

Who says there's no drums in Bluegrass, or Newgrass, or Acoustic Mayhem, or whatever they call this stuff? "Folkadelic" might be more apropros. This amalgam of unassuming, tightly-picked fun is pure Americana with the roots growing out.

It's rewarding to find a band on the brink of emergence as a force. That's force not farce. Devolver encompasses several genres and is not limited to bluegrass. The Waybacks are accomplished in interpreting jazz (Bird's "Scrapple From the Apple"), Celtic (Fischer's "Witch"), among other styles. This band, to put it simply, is fun to be around. Don't miss the bonus track (#13) at the end of this CD.

The first time I heard this CD, I didn't think it was anything really special. The second time I thought it was pretty cool. And by the third time it was my second favorite CD of all time (second only to Cake's Fashion Nugget). Incredible music, especially their instrumentals. A variety of types within the bluegrass/folk genere. Don't forget to listen to the last track (the untitled one) -- you're laugh your arse off.

The Waybacks are a Bay Area treasure I was lucky enough to come across on a trip there. Their talent is obvious in their range of music - from Irish-style ballads to American folk and beyond! Great driving music. Highly recommended.

Acoustic newgrass and "dawg music" projects typically inspire in me aversive reactions ranging from polite boredom to a painful skin rash. This recording, however, indicates clearly to file under "Acoustic Mayhem," an apparently new genre of music that gets me grinning every time I hear it.

The tracks on this CD leap from one acoustic setting to another--Celtic, blues, bebop jazz, Latin, cowboy music, Hot Club swing, country and bluegrass--often within the same song, sometimes running them alongside each other concurrently.

In doing so the band walks so many fine lines that I've lost count by now. The music is tasteful but never dull, enthusiastic but never sloppy, witty but never pretentious, virtuousic without becoming self-important. The British have a word for it: brilliant.

A sense of humor and fun seeps out through the entire CD. The band is clearly having a blast, and its infectious enthusiasm has been captured in the recording.

Oh, and the eight and a half minute version of CLUCK OLD HEN featuring Wayne Jacques on "nasty electric octave mandolin" is worth the price of admission alone.

OK, so I haven't heard this CD yet - so what, I'm buying it now. I caught these guys opening for the hilarious Roy Zimmerman at McCabe's in Santa Monica CA and they blew my socks off. Mouth agape, eyes fixated on the amazing stringwork of Mr.s Nash and Jaques with great backup, bass & drum. These guys are tight as hell, know exactly what their doing on stage, and put on a great show. Wonderful mandolin work and tight synchrony by some fantastic bluegrass jazz hippies.

GREAT CD! These guys really have talent...how they play the ole fiddle and guitars the way they do is beyond me. I heard of them when I went to California...they are absolutely great! Listening to it always puts me in a great mood.

CLUCK OLD HEN...CLUCK ALL DAY!

Saw the Frenzied Five committing acoustic mayhem live before I heard the CD...You've never heard the likes of these licks! Go ahead, sit yourself down and try to stay there while these boys rip it up! Outstanding debut!