Joe Appleby & The New Saints Of Wonder – Better Angel

self release

https://www.tragedybrothers.com

10 songs time – 37:51

Although they are from Rochester in New York State, their sound is reminiscent of the mid-west pop sounds of The Skeletons, The Morels and to a lesser extent George Bedard & The Kingpins. Joe Appleby and company have good intentions. The saving grace is the musicianship. Joe is a good guitarist and Dennis McCarthy’s bass is often up front in the mix and well played. He sometimes takes a melodic lead. All of the songs were written by Joe Appleby.

His guitar playing on “Mad Money” is a mix of early rock, rockabilly and country. Steve McNally’s organ is fine here and throughout the record. Dennis McCarthy has his bass up front in the mix on “That Walk”, a saving grace due to the awkward vocalizing. Joe’s guitar is good here as always. Dennis’s bass is more or less the lead instrument on “Maybe I’m The Fool”. The band’s theme, the country-ish “New Saints Of Wonder”, features a nice mix of guitar and piano.

The New Wave-ish “Down To You” has a Grateful Dead jam vibe as guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass, piano and organ mingle around. The only accompaniment on “I’ve Decided” is Dobro and pedal steel guitar. It takes the recording out on a light note.

As previously mentioned, the musicianship is first rate. If it works for you, all for the better.