Customer Reviews

Sundirtwater

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

 

 

"Sundirtwater" is the fifth album from The Waifs, a folk-rock band from Western Australia. Their resume is fairly impressive, with their double-platinum fourth album "Up All Night", and a tour with Bob Dylan both in Australia and North America. "Sundirtwater" is a fine addition to their discography as well, with a title track which has a jazzy groove which is as addictive as anything I have heard recently. There are also a dozen other tracks which may not have the same initial draw as "Sundirtwater", but all of which hold their own with repeated listening.

This is not a group trying to repeat their past successes, but one which is exploring their musical limits. Undoubtedly they will not shed the "Folk-Rock" label with this album, but the styles go far beyond that. It is by no means perfection, but it is a diverse collection which needs to be heard, warts and all. There is something to hear in each track, whether it is the story telling folk-rock of "Vermillion", the driving rock sound of "Sad Sailor Song", or the country sound of "Eternity", or the jazzy "Sundirtwater", or any of the tracks which stylistically fall somewhere in between.

The Waifs are Joshua Cunningham (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, ukulele); Donna Simpson (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion); Vikki Thom (vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar); and with Ben Franz (electric & double bass); David Ross Macdonald (drums & percussion). Also on the album are Reese Wynans (hammond b3, piano, wurlitzer); Dan Dugmore (pedal steel, lap steel); Jeff Coffin (clarinet); Scat Springs(background vocals on tracks 2 & 9); Erick Jaskowiak (background vocals on track 8); and Garry West (hand claps on tracks 2 & 11).

OK, this is decent enough CD. The problem is that I LOVE everything else The Waifs have done. Their earlier material is exceptional. Folk with bits of rock, country, jazz, blended into a truly unique sound. Music that seems simple on the surface, but has surprising complexity below. Lyrics that actually tell storys, with insights that make one stop and think.

But that's the earlier stuff. This disk sounds perfunctory, as if no ones' heart was really in it but it was time to make a CD and earn some more money. It's not horrible, but it's horribly ordinary. A mish-mash of song styles, none of them the Waifs' own, and a bunch of ordinary pop-song-love-song lyrics. Yawn.

But if you're new to the Waifs, I heartily recommend any of their other CDs.

Generally, an excellent album. I've just recently become a fan in the last 8 months or so - and when I learned they released this album I couldn't wait to own it. There are some excellent tracks - "Pony" is probably my favorite. Also enjoy "Eternity," and "How Many Miles." I did feel that track 11, "Stay" was a bit disjointed, and didn't relate well with the rest of the cd - but in the end, I adore the waifs and if you're a fan... you can't go wrong with this album ... on a whole, it's got a little of everything that makes them what we've come to love!

This has become my favorite Waifs studio album -- favorite overall album is their live album as I prefer live music over studio productions. I love how the album displays the range of styles the band can do well!

How Many Miles is my favorite song. You can't stop yourself from dancing (or at least tapping your foot along with the tune).

Sun Dirt Water has an amazing bass line

Get Me Some is a great mellow tune

Feeling Sentimental really showcases Vikki's voice as you can tell there is NO post production to clean it up. Trust me, her voice is really that good (Donna's too) as I just saw them live and they sounded exactly the same live as on the album. How many "artists" can pull that off??

To be honest, I am NOT a fan of folk as I find most of it boring, slow, and kind of depressing. The Waifs are something other than folk while still being folk, so it is fun for me and not boring. I just saw them live and they are AMAZING live, just so talented and tight!!

Try the album out and if you are a "hardcore" folk fan, give it 3-4 complete listens before you judge.

I was surprised to find myself disappointed by Sundirtrider. Didn't care for the songs as I 'd expected and only liked a couple. An earlier double CD I got at a concert of theirs is a favorite and I love every song on both CD's so this was a disappointment.

OK - I get that bands seek to re-invent and need to keep fresh. But this - a collection of very loosely put together generic bluesy songs, is a lazy reach too far. For a group that I value for their puckish presence, enthusiastic acoustic, and slyly ironic and fairly personal lyrics, this sounds like a burnt out, back-of-the-tour bus, Sunday afternoon jam season to a Stones cover band. Fine by itself, but hardly the best effort of a indie folk standout like the Waifs. Whoever produced this needs their head examined: the voices sound thin...and soul-less, and the instrumental homogenized: what the hell are these down unda wonda's singing about their "daddy in South Dakota" for? Are they really trying to reach cross over Nashville with this - crikey, even Charlotte Church has more sturm and 'twang than these guys.

I'd heard of this band before, but never really listened to them. They sort of remind me of a group like The Greencards with Drums and electric bass, love their vocals, great hooks in the songs.
I reckon I really like this disc is because it is different."Love let Me Down" has some real hot guitar tones. The overall sound is refreshing. It is interesting that original fans do not like it. I think it worth a spin!!

I love this album; it's without a doubt one of my favorites of the past year. The Waifs continue to push themselves musically and to take chances, and it pays off beautifully. The mix of musical styles and genres is fascinating, and gives the album a kind of kaleidoscopic, White-Album effect. There's a sweetness to the material, and a soulfulness/sadness at the same time. Hard to single out one favorite song: "Sundirtwater", the title track, is haunting and unique; "Pony" is great rocking bluesy fun; "How Many Miles" and "Goodbye" are infectious anthems; "Sweetest Dream" is thrilling and features gorgeous gospel-style harmonies; "Eternity" is bouncy and catchy yet deeply heartfelt; and "Feeling Sentimental", the closing track, is a 1920s/30s-style song backed by a ukelele that is a lovely signature to the album. I've been enjoying this album for many months and am not remotely tired of it. A must-have for Waifs fans or for any lover of great soul/folk/pop music. Just buy it already! :)

I have enjoyed all of the Waifs early work, but this latest effort is surprisingly disappointing. The tracks are mostly bland, unimaginative and plain. The Waifs seem to have lost focus and the combination of moving lyrics and excellent musicianship I have enjoyed in the past. I will carefully evaluate further purchases from The Waifs.

I adore the Waifs more than anything- I always eagerly anticipate their albums for unique lyrics, incredible vocals and just seriously fun music from an incredibly talented group. This album was a huge disappointment- I bought it when it came out and have only listened to the entire album the first time and since then play only selected tracks and consider clawing out my eyes when Stay comes on- that song is horrific. Pony and Sad Sailor Song are the only two I actually want to listen to regularly. I was annoyed by the retread of Without You- been there. I understand that bands need to grow and develop- but unfortunately in this effort, the Waifs threw out everything that makes their music enjoyable (with the exceptions of Pony and Sailor, perhaps by accident).

For those new to the Waifs, I fell in love with them listening to Sink or Swim- a great example of their strengths. When Up All Night came out, I'll admit I was at first disappointed it was quite a bit more mellow than Sink or Swim, but upon further listening became addicted to it- it's a very deep and beautiful album. Purchase either of those two (or A Brief History is excellent as well). And to Vicki, Donna and Josh- I hope ya'll find your charm again.