Album Review: The Felice Brothers – Favorite Waitress
3 min read
Not every band can go from originally performing in the subways of New York to opening up for band such as the Dave Matthews Band, but The Felice Brothers are an exception. Since forming in 2005, the folk/rock group have been releasing an album each year, this year they unveil album number nine; My Favorite Waitress. The new album is their sixth to be released with a record label, all releases prior to their self titled The Felice Brothers were independently released. From weekly BBQ’s to various festivals and stages, it will be great to hear more of one of folk’s hardest working folk groups.
Bird On A Broken Wing opens the album on a mellow note, the slight tap of the drums and the edgy acoustic guitar strumming really drive the song, the melody of the vocal urges you to sing along. The atmosphere is not as crash hot with Cherry Licorice, the vocals sound strained and at parts you want to cringe; Meadow Of A Dream has the kind of melody that takes you places distant from your mind. Lion has a fun melody to hum along to, the instrumentation is pretty out there too; Saturday Night comes off as a little half hearted at times when it comes to energy and enthusiasm, which is unfortunate because the lyrics were up to scratch, it’s not until the middle and the end where things look up a bit. Constituents is different from previous tracks so far, it comes across as a little darker/deeper in mood and tone which gives the album dynamic.
Hawthorne is almost hard to listen to, although the ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ reference wasn’t a bad effort, the overall vibe of the song wasn’t enticing. A random burst of energy emerges when we are introduced to Katie Cruel, with a keen chorus too, but again is vocally challenged; No Trouble is a sweet, light hearted little number about assuring someone you won’t let them down. Alien is a little slow to begin with, but the pace soon picks up when the soundscape comes in. It’s a turn for the average again with Chinatown, it isn’t easy to follow and enjoy at the same time; although it was interesting to hear the lyric the group derived the album name, My Favorite Waitress. The band try something a little more upbeat with The Woman Next Door, the song sounds great but would sound even better if the vocal drove the song in the front seat of the arrangement vehicle; the album comes to a close with slight more of a bang, Silver In The Shadow shone more vocally and justly ended My Favorite Waitress.
My Favorite Waitress isn’t the worst sounding album out there, nor is it the greatest. There were tracks that were delivered so well (Bird On A Broken Wing, Meadow Of A Dream & Constituents), yet there were some that could have been so much more (Cherry Licorice, Saturday Night & Hawthorne); the rest of the album was ok. The band have been doing the best they can over the years to deliver new material to their fans ASAP and to further sustain their career, it is up to the listeners to decide whether this move costed the group anything in terms of musical quality. You’ll either love or hate My Favorite Waitress.
