Steeped in Americana, West Coast outfit
the Waybacks are able to meld Appalachian or mountain music with a summery "jam band" feeling for most of this record. Whether it is the somewhat catchy
"City Boy," with its somewhat odd bridge, or the mellow
"Nice to Be Alone," the group is content to let the melodies do most of the work. But sometimes the laid-back
Jack Johnson-ish melodies don't quite measure up, especially on the winding and somewhat meandering
"The River," which has some fleeting quality moments. Thankfully, things get back on track with the leaner pop-country of
"Good Enough," bringing
Jimmy Buffett or
Dire Straits to mind. Meanwhile, the group seems to shine during the tranquil, placid
"Savannah" with its swinging
Django-like hue, and the honky tonk effort
"Tired of Being Right." Probably the dark horse or sleeper on this folk-pop album is the swaying waltz-like Celtic-leaning number
"Beyond the Northwest Passage," in the vein of
the Pogues or
Flogging Molly. Following the cinematic violin introduction of
"Black Cat," the Waybacks move into a klezmer-meets-bluegrass feel with interesting results. ~ Jason MacNeil
![Voices of Angels [Bonus Tracks]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0602557200683_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "Voices of Angels [Bonus Tracks]")
![In a Lifetime [2020]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/4050538551587_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "In a Lifetime [2020]")
