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WaxwingOne for the Ride [Second Nature] Rating: 5.1 I always face a particular quandary when, after a modest but efficient effort searching the web, I can't find any information about a band I'm reviewing. Sure, I'm encouraged that they might be among the underrated lesser-known bands. But if they were really good, wouldn't I have heard of them at one point or another? After all, few truly great bands remain forever anonymous, even if they discourage popularity (e.g. Fugazi). As Second Nature Recordings' site is currently under construction, my only source for Waxwing information was their own website, located ironically at www.waxwingrock.com. Even worse, their band history subsite gives nothing of the sort. Instead, there's a dull 1½ page biography of Thomas Crapper, the late 19th century plumber. So, what's left? Dear God, help me: the message board. It's all I had to work with! And since everyone who's chosen to leave a message is inevitably a fan and/or friend of the band, there wasn't a single negative post to speak of. So, I decided to translate and assess the comments, linguistic errors and all, to provide a less subjective evaluation of the four members of Seattle's Waxwing.
Name: Deirdra Translation: I'm amazed. You guys play and sing very loud. Cody is a good guitarist, Rudy is a good drummer, Rocky is a good singer and guitarist, and Andrew is a good bassist and pianist. I want you guys to keep making music so I can listen to it. Yes! Assessment: While not amazing, Waxwing do occasionally play hard. They also play soft, however, and quite often. Every song, with the expection of an indistinct piano interlude and a more memorable keyboard postlude, rely on the loud/soft juxtaposition of bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Juno, the two bands Waxwing most resemble. Waxwing are as consistently schizophrenic as early Sunny Day, but they aren't as consistently compelling. Averaging five minutes, Waxwing's songs have the wandering, multiple-crescendo nature of Juno; unfortunately, they don't have the same sheer sonic depth. Nonetheless, I do think they should keep making music, if only because this is just their sophomore effort.
Name: Mike Graham Translation: I bought your CD and I like it a lot, especially the lyrics. Assessment: "I have found that the devil may reside inside these hands of mine/ If you piss me off, be careful how you talk when you come around me, boy." ("There Will be a Reckoning.") "I've seen happiness before/ I know what it means, man." ("Laboratory.") "Food costs money and kids gotta eat something." ("What These Hands Have Grown.")
Name: Jon Translation: Andrew, this message is special because it's from me, your British cousin. I tell everyone about you because people pay attention to me when I say I have a cousin in a real rock band with a record contract and everything. You guys are going to be international stars, I'm sure of it. Not that I've heard your music or anything. Assessment: Andrew should probably listen to Waxwing before bragging about his familial connections with the band. What if he hears Rocky's voice and thinks it befitting the singer's name. Sometimes hoarse, sometimes sweet, it sounds a lot like any other emo vocalist's. And what if he decides that, what with only minor variations from one track to the next, the music tends to blend together? Then his first meeting with Andrew will be a tad awkward, baby!
Name: tavis d Translation: You guys sound great when I'm high. I get mad when I'm out of bud. I like your music. Assessment: Tavis needs to chill out on the weed. Everyone knows that it can make even mediocre music sound incredible.
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