Perth in Western Australia has a long history of producing great Rock acts it’s maybe something about being the most isolated City on the continent but maybe also something to do with the great expanses of land we inhabit such a small portion of. Rock of course begins her with Bon Scott, but bands like INXS also had their roots here in the Perth pub scene. Waiting for Andy honestly don’t sound anything like that but they do sound damn good and album number two features 9 songs dedicated to Keyboardist and vocalist Kelly Bavich who we way lost too soon.
Waiting for Andy as I said aren’t you typical rockers and this their second album comes 11 long years and a world of experiences after their debut ‘Back in the Mud’ and sports a cover of the road to Pocock’s Beach in the N.T. it’s an album about travels and Mick Parker paints a great picture with his words that I’m sure many can relate to. If you take a look at their bio you’ll find an eclectic bunch that can reach out effectively to people of all ages and all walks of life.
As the bio says “…with the view to create original music for all ages. Simple rhythms and beats, music to provoke thought to make you dance and sing along to. With the story telling lyrics of Mick, soaring guitar licks from Andy, the accompanying rhythms from Rod and Rusty and the sweet vocals of Amber, a unique sound was born.” I love that quote because it tells you everything about the ethos of the band but nothing about the sonics. Let’s just say one thing before we turn you onto the album – this is music made to be played loud.
If you’re up for the ride in the road-worn Ute along distant red highways we open with the title track ‘Longway’ and song which lets you know you can be a long way from home but still find connection with the place you’re in. It’s an assured rocker to open proceedings and tells a tale of heading north. ‘Earthwire’ that follows contemplates our environment and has such depth musically you’re driven to think this is going to be an album of solid rockers, but Waiting 4 Andy has always had that sense of fun and and hot on their heels comes ‘Creekdog’ a Bluesy Bo Diddly-infused number about the simple pleasure of crabbing (one of the great Australian pastimes), It’s that wonderful juxtaposition of textures and sounds that becomes apparent throughout.
If anything this album is a great retelling of that well worn tale of wanderlust and what makes us want to up sticks and get out into the world, but it also takes in geography and history with eyes wide open. ‘Jandamarra’ tells us about that place we call home and a part of its history, it’s one of the centerpieces here. Jandamarra (or Tjandamurra) was an Aboriginal man of the Bunuba people who led one of many organised armed insurrections against the European colonisation of Australia. The song is almost hypnotic as it recounts the powerful tale and musically it’s wonderfully direct.
‘Blue Dust’ adds a jazzy feel to the mix before ‘Revenge’ plunges you into a completely different experience. It’s an epic Australian Cowboy demi-ballad with a touch of Gunners ‘Civil War’ in the build that is a absolute wonder of guitar and simmering intent, and one of my top picks here. Then to change things up yet again comes the wonderful ‘Maton’ another cracker, with Amber taking the lead on this song about the healing power of music.
We start to close the second chapter with the Kelly Bavich song ‘Run’ which has a wonderful Jefferson Airplane meets The Doors vibe but more upbeat, it’s another you’ll keep coming back to. The final word though goes to ‘Feelgood’ the jazzy, funky (I have to say it) feelgood rock and roll party song that had to close and for which those that have seen Waiting 4 Andy live will know is the sort of song they do so well. It’s a song with everything thrown in including some sublime Sax and a massive good time chorus.
Mick said to me when he send me the album “Be honest, tell me if you like anything on there!” Well Mick I pretty much love everything on here and I’d love to hear it all live and loud like it’s meant to be. It might have been a while coming but then some things are worth the wait. Pub Rock meets Pink Floyd with undertones of blues and jazz – very nice indeed…
8/10