Search - Waysted :: Harsh Reality

The Reality Of Good Rock

Monty Brasco | Melbourne, Australia | 07/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I was a little disappointed by Back From The Dead there was no hesitation in purchasing the latest CD from this underrated band despite the somewhat lofty price tag. And as I assumed there would be no repeat of any such disappointment. Although the BFTD return of Fin was O.K., this was a far better effort for mine, and comes up on par with my favourite, Vices.



I'm just grateful that Pete Way and Co rescued Fin from the Aliens, Bermuda Triangle, or whatever Black Hole he was in to front the band again. On this CD he sounds as strong as ever, as if he was suspended in time, which may well have been the case.



Waysted haven't produced a Sargent Peppers here but this is a great hard rock CD that meets all the criteria for the never aging ex-`70's genre. May these guys keep on keeping on making much better music than the junk us ol' rockers are subjected to these days.



"Propaganda" (4:16) gets things off to an energetic but slightly under whelming start, morphing into a similar riffed "Samaritan Man"(3:39) - both tracks carried with a couple of guitar licks that standout.



"Rockin' The Cliché" (4:32) - moves things into Motley Crew-like enviroment with guitar, drums and some vocal harmony dominating. Definite bench pressing material for the head phones in a modern gym drowned with a cacophony of dance music.



The starting three songs could be found on a Dokken or a Ratt release, but track No. 4 signals the end of any penny section on the album.



"Keepin' It Sweet" (3:35) - is a toe-tapping blues/rock number changes the album direction and is the first track to gobble you up upon an initial listening. I've quickly added this piece to a compilation for the CD stacker in the car to help combat the stress of peak hour traffic jams. You cannot not like this song. Hold the Lambrini, pass me a beer.



"Long Time Dead" (3:54) back to hard rockin' with a harmonic chorus and more solid guitar action sampling a tinge of Zakk Wylde influence in sections.



"Out Of Control" (3:43)- blues' things up again starting with Mr Way making his presence felt and gets the toes tapping out of control - damn, pass me another a beer!



"It Wasn't Me" (5:27)- pure blues number with Fin taking charge of proceedings with a little soft-speak from the front man and an excellent blues riff throughout.



"Song For Steve"(6.31)- somewhat in the power ballad mode and another that grabs you big time the first time you hear it and is the best cut on the entire album. This track is sung with some emotion and the lyrics carry some poignant meaning for the writers.



"The Harsh Reality"(4:53)- great rock to sing along with but it seems the writing has gone all Midnight Oil(former lead singer now an environment minister in Australian Leftist government)as evil humans destroy the world. Not sure how hard drinking veteran rockers will take to buying carbon credits for abundant flatulence and riding push bikes to gigs. That could be a harsh reality.



"Handbags and Gladbags" (4:21)- a hook-laden cover that is done well. I've loved all Waysted's covers with the exception of "The Price Of Love" off the Back To The Dead CD.



What Brian Johnson can't do for ACDC Fin can and does for Waysted on the final track, "Can't Feel The Pain."(6:05)- this is the kind of track that Steve Tyler and Aerosmith could take Top Ten, and Fin is outstanding. A superb finale with a blues/country guitar feel, a touch of harmonica and great drumming fading out the album. Love Fin's Tyler screeching and Paul Haslin's Bonham-esque moments towards the end, a-la Zepp's Achillies Last Stand.



It's not metal or definitive ground-breaking rock but what these musicians do best - give their fans what is expected. Great musicianship with guitarist Chris George a star performer and well worth my money. Pete Way refuses to let me down. If you've liked Waysted's previous work this shouldn't disappoint.



Unlike costs limiting packaging and environmental-friendly thinking bands (pun intended) this comes in a jewel case with liner notes including song lyrics and a cartoon insert of a theme park that I guess is an inference for the harsh realities of humans living the good life - like leer jet, limousine-liberal,latte sipping Al Gores.



An extra half a star for Pete Way refusing to ever let me down.



Running time: 48:56







"

WOW

R. J. KARDYS | UPSTATE NY | 04/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great cd. Glad Fin is back on vocals. I like this more and more every time I listen to it. Bye this cd"

You will buy this STRAIGHT AWAY!!!

Michael McCann | 06/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great release! This is their best since "The Good, The Bad, and the Waysted" Every song rocks. Interesting cover of "Handbags and Gladrags" too. Straight ahead, melodic hard rock that kills. It has radio-friendly moments, but I'm sure it will (unfortunately) be ignored. Title track is amazing and and I also really like "Keepin' it Sweet". Excellent release, guys. Hope to catch the live shows in NY/NJ coming soon! Thanks, Pete and Company for this one. Must be played loud!!"