SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HYWAYS – HYWAYS

Hyways
Hyways
Union Zero

Hyways hail from Seattle, and Hyways is their self-titled debut album. The band consists of Mike Giacolino (lead vocal, guitar, harmonica), Nils Petersen (bass, keyboards, backing vocals), Jay Kardong (pedal steel, electric guitar, backing vocals), and Pat Schowe (drums, percussion, backing vocals). The band were members of Ole Tinder, an alt-country band. They continue that sound with this album, except they add more psychedelia, rock and interesting textures.

The songs do not always go where you expect them to, listen to “Break For The Winter”, which almost sounds like two different songs. Yet it works. And that was one of the winning factors for the album. On first listen, there was no idea to predict the trail one goes on with Hyways.

The playing is tight and perfect. The production is flawless. Randall Dunn, who also provides backing vocal, knows how to accentuate the best aspects of this band, and he lets them do what they do best. The harmonica playing, for example, in the brilliant “Dead River” elevates the song into a whole new stratosphere.

Giacolino, the songwriter of the band,  tips his hat to many genres and artists who have come before him, but in the end, the songs and their sound are entirely their own. He also writes some damn fine lyrics. The songs sing of love, loss, and struggles with life. “I got to get out of here…running from my fears, found a room, cold and dark” sings Giacolino in “Dead River”. No real hope here, just running and hiding. Much of the album is the same, although he has a wonderful way of expressing himself.

The tunes of the album convey the melancholy of the lyrics, although that does not mean the band does not cut loose here and there. Also, the arrangements and choice of instruments is always inspiring.

This is an impressive debut album. Sure these guys have been around, but Hyways is new, and so is their sound. Calling it Alt-Country sells it short. It is a distinct sound, and an album that after one spin on the turntable, one is hooked.

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