Customer Reviews

Waltham (CD & Bonus DVD)

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

 

 

Waltham. Not a terribly inspiring name for a band, is it? This five piece Rock band decided it would be a good idea to name themselves after their Massachusetts home town. Thankfully, the band's name is the least inspiring thing about this outfit.

Waltham like Rock music, and Waltham make Rock music like it used to be made. Forget Punk, forget the excesses of Glam, ignore Grunge, sidestep Alternative, and don't even think about throwing in any other sort of influence. Think Cheap Trick, Van Halen, Kiss, Thin Lizzy, Status Quo, and touches of AC/DC meshed with a 21st Century sound. Think Creed with a decent singer. Raised on bargain bin record collections, these guys create enduring, anthemic stadium Rock, even if they're still playing it in clubs.

The most important thing with good Rock music is that it doesn't sound like Pop. Waltham hit all the right notes, so to speak, with pumped up guitars, a simple but powerful rhythm section and a singer with a velvet voice. There's guitar solos, keyboard flourishes, feel-good songs about girls and cars and more vocal harmonies than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Er, or maybe not...

The only thing missing for Waltham to break through to the big time is hit singles. Opening track "Cheryl (Come And Take A Ride)" is the best song on the album, combining Cheap Trick-style harmonised vocals with big guitar hooks and a well-crafted FM Rock radio-friendly song. It runs rings around most of the insipid dreary dirges which pass for modern Rock songs and could easily be a minor hit if it caught the right ears. Unfortunately, it's not quite up to the standard needed for a really, really big hit, which these guys are quite capable of. If there's an ounce of justice in this world, it's going to happen, but not just yet.

The whole album though, is of a very high standard. It's hard to single out any real dog tracks or any blatant filler here, which is highly promising when you think of how many classic albums were built around a couple of great songs, and had the gaps plugged with bog standard songs. Every song here feels like it has had all the band's energy put into creating it. This is a good time album, perfect for a summer Saturday party down at the beach with a few beers and a few friends, where all the cares of the week fade away into oblivion.

`Waltham' is the perfect antidote to a world of misery and woe and the prospect of a new INXS album. Are they going to make it big? Let's hope so.

This band had made me re-think my theory that if all music created after 1989 was somehow lost or destroyed, the catalog of great rock and roll songs would remain in tact. "Cheryl" (the first track) will likely cause you to involuntarily hit the Replay button on your CD player. The rest of the CD takes a little longer to appreciate, but the other songs are also very good. This is an album (did I just date myself?) with no filler material.

I bought a second copy and sent it to a close friend who recently moved from Boston to Miami. I offer you the same advice I offered him: Listen to the entire CD once. Spend the 45 minutes watching WALTHAM's (very entertaining) DVD. Listen to the CD again. You'll get it. This band rocks.

I have over 400 CD's (no WILCO or Rick Springfield) and consider myself a product of the Eighties. I just can't play this CD enough. It's all I've been listening to since I bought it. As a 16 year-old guitarist in a high school garage band, WALTHAM was the band I always fantasized I was in... 20 years ago (before wife & kids). ;)

This is a CD you will crank in your car (up to 11, if your stereo volume knob goes that high) and feel cool again. WALTHAM combines clever riffs, solid rhthyms and terrific vocal talent (melodies) to create a collection of awesome songs. The only reason I rated this CD a 4 and not a 5, is because I reserve 5 for albums like "Who's Next," Led Zeppelin II" and "Paranoid."

I guarantee that if you visit their web site (www.walthamtheband.com) and listen to their music, you WILL buy this CD. And you'll be glad you did. I am.

his release is a basically a re-do fo Permission to Build, so I'm combining the original review and adding what's new.

Waltham has often been compared to Rick Springfield. Not just musically, but because they aren't afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves. That becomes obvious on the opening track "So Lonely". Steered by an infectious riffs, hooks, and licks, vocalist Frank Pino Jr. regrets that he gave up his girlfriend and really wants to tell her how he feels. "All I Want is You" is full of high energy and heavy guitar muting riffs. It's another bad break-up here, but he's determined to get her back. On one of the four songs named for women, "Cheryl" is about as close as Waltham can get to Rick Springfield. The song writing and structure is so memorable that I still can't get it out of my head.

By the time "Hopeless" comes around Frank has decided to move on from the past and try to tart a new relationship, only to become a bumbling goof trying to say the right things. I think all men can relate to this feeling. There's some great reverb on "Back to You". This song could easily be the theme to an eighties romantic comedy. What guy hasn't uttered"Hook Me Up (With Your Friend)", which is not included in the new disc. Driving chugga-chugga riffs are prevalent on "Maria Simeone". Frank is practically pleading to her with his powerful and enthusiastic delivery. "Say It Again" is an enjoyable power ballad that mixes single note guitar picking with fuzzy guitar in the background. It comes complete with a great harmonious guitar solo. This track is also missing from the new disc, but it can be heard on the DVD portion of the release.

The track listing on the re-release has been changed around and four songs that were on Permission to Build; "Hook Me Up", "Laura", "Say It Again", and "Feeling It" have been replace with four new ones. "Joanne" adds to Waltham's list of ex-girlfriends. It's a driving track with lots of chugga-chugga riffing and a melodic chorus. The questions asked on "Call Me Back" is whether he cheated or didn't cheat out on the road. The chorus may be simple, but that's what makes it memorable. The chord changes, riffs, licks, and vocal changes of "You Gotta Let Me In" are very indicative of 80's pop-rock. "Be With Me" is a good tune, I just can't think of anything to say about it.

The DVD contains behind-the-scene footage of the band at rehersals, on the road, and just anywhere they had a camcorder. There are also a couple of music videos. I really enjoyed the video for "So Lonely" because not only do you get a funny video, you get to see some hilarious outtakes. Pay attention you non-Bostonians, Waltham give you the definitions to the special languarge we use around here during their sidebars. The DVD gives you great insight to how much the band love doing what they do, and how well they get along with one another. There's also a hidden audio track titled "Emily" (big surprise).

The Bad
The fact that you don't have it! I'm sticking with this statement.

The Verdict
Wow! This CD blew me away. It's loaded with dynamic rhythms and melodies, the songs are catchy and instantly memorable, and the vocals are smooth and melodic. Song structure is perfect: intro riff, verse, chorus, solo, repeat. They may be compared to Rick Springfield a lot, but Waltham clearly stands on their own.

I'm not a big fan of re-recorded material, but it's only been a couple of years, so I'll let it slide. The music still blows me away. After being reacquainted with "Cheryl" and "So Lonely", I can't get them out of my head once again. The new songs are just as infectious. The DVD is hilarious and entertaining and I'm glad they decided to add it. If you grew up in the eighties and early nineties, I PROMISE you, Waltham is the band for you.

This band has quite and 80's sound so I thought I would share this review with you all!

Waltham is a really great rock group and if you like a lot of the rock music from the 80's you will find an appreciation for Waltham. I don't know if the band will appreciate this compliment or not but some songs reminded me of Rick Springfield. The CD opens up with the song "Cheryl" (Come and Take a Ride). This is a really great song. It's followed up by the song "So Lonely," another great track with an awesome melody. "Joanne," is another great song. Overall, I enjoyed the entire CD, especially the songs, "Call Me Back," and "Be With Me." They have great music and lyrics. The vocals were okay. I couldn't tell if they had different members on vocals on different songs or if it was the same singer throughout.

The self-titled CD also includes a bonus DVD. Another bonus, the CD insert includes all of the song lyrics.

I must admit I was a little dissapointed. When I heard these guys were in the studio I thought they would be releasing an album of entirely new material, however there are only four new songs. The remaining songs all appear on the album Permission to build, which is a great album in its own right. For some reason Frank and the boys felt they needed to rerecord the songs from permission to build. Why? The new versions sound over produced and a little slower. If you don't own anything by the band, purchase Permission to build, it has more of how this band really sounds live on stage which is F@*king AWSOME. Overall it is a good record, and for those that have never seen the band live or heard Permission to build will be quite pleased.

If you like the 80's rock sound this is required listening. The DVD is a lot of fun too...

I am very excited about this new release. It has some great music that will keep you upbeat. These guys are very talented. Put this cd in your car and enjoy the ride!