SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: WAYNE FALER – FOREWARD

WAYNE FALER
FOREWARD
CURATION RECORDS

Wayne Faler was a member of the Dream Boys band (which kind of describes their dreamy pop music they made) and in 2022 he struck on his own. Foreword, his second album since 2022’s self-titled solo debut, continues in a similar vein but is definitely his solo album. The music is very dreamy, melodic and steeped in nostalgia. That does not mean the music is retro, it just means that he does bring in his 1980s influences and marries them with his love of early 1960s American rock/pop (i.e. The Everly Brothers). Foreword is an excellent album full of strong songs, layered vocals and wonderful arrangements. Imagine if John Lennon had taken “# 9 Dream” and come up with an entire album in that style. The influences are there, but, and this is important, it is a Waye Faler album.

He does create new and original music and, in the end, one has an album like Foreword, which is almost addictive. Once it was over, I found myself starting it all over again. It is full of peace and personal sentiments. He opens the album with an acoustic guitar that soon is joined by electric, bass, steel, and drums. Then his voice, which is distinct and familiar at the same time. The music draws you in, and one is trapped in Faler’s world. But it is a fantastic place in which to be trapped.

He takes his time getting the listener into the heart of the song. “Until Now” is a great example of this technique. He opens the song with a beautiful arrangement and gradually adds his voice. It is so beautifully structured that one cannot help but feel the embrace of the music. Even a song such as “Winding Bend,” which is much more upbeat, lets the listener wade into the song, and once the song builds, it is extremely rewarding and worth the wait.

Foreword is not simply Faler repeating what his heroes have done, but rather, absorbing all this music and using it as a writing and performing tool. Although this is a remarkably accessible album, Foreword is the type of album that is deceptive in that there is a lot to discover with each spin on the turntable. There is a lot to discover and enjoy. Foreword is a brilliant album by a very talented artist. Wayne Faler has knocked this out of the park.

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