The Wells -=revisited=-

This week has just been insane. Instead of breaking my neck to get something ready for today I decided to just repost a piece I wrote about a cd that has recently been getting heavy rotation in my car again. Hope y’all

Well what do you know. Another week….another piece on a band from Ohio. There really must be something in the water up there. If I feature many more Ohio bands on here I think I’m gonna have to give Ohio it’s own category in wordpress.Hailing from Columbus, The Wells are Robert Loss (vocals), Andy Gard (bass, vocals), Billy Heingartner (drums, vocals), Nick Mancini (guitar) and Lori Parsley (vocals). Formed as a trio in 2003, they produced the EP New Valley Death Blues in 2004, which was described by their local paper as “rustic Appalachian folk music and drawling country twang with a churning rock sensibility underneath.” In December of 2004 the trio began the recording sessions that would make up their sophomore effort, The Outcasts Will Make a Strong Nation.With Outcasts they seem to have turned down the Appalachian that was in the debut and turned up the rock. Now it would be best to revise their sound description to a loose rock and roll outfit with churning rock sensibility and a drawling country twang just under the surface stealing moments in the forefront when it can. Sheesh, that’s a mouthful. The songs on Outcasts are very well crafted both from a musical and lyrical standpoint. The principle songwriter in the band has an MFA in creative writing and puts it to excellent use in the 11 five minute segments that make up Outcasts and the soundtrack for these stories is equally well-crafted.What really makes this album stand out is the characters in the songs. As it is noted in their one sheet; “they are shysters, little Huck Finns, farm maidens, murderers, sons and fathers, the dearly departed, drug dealers, spiritually confused, morally troubled, runners, stayers, lovers and thieves. Most of all, they are survivors.” See for yourself, all of the lyrics are published on the bands web site (always a god sign, IMO). Check out the samples here and pick the cd up for yourself. Personally, I am about to place an order for their debut cd.

The Wells – Knockdown Dragout
The Wells – I had a Dream, Jess
The Wells – Hard Way To Go

The Wells web site, Buy The Outcasts Will Make a Strong Nation from Miles of Music