Wait
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
The Texans Grady Spencer & The Work are back with their 4th album, and it’s an extremely thoughtful listen that was born out of Spencer’s decision to pursue music full time and walk away from a 60 hour a week job.
“Find You” opens the listen with much warmth as a radiant spirit of thumping Americana unfolds with much emotion and playfulness, and “Therapy’s Good” follows with a more firm approach of crisp roots rocks that benefits from sharp riffs.
“Heart Of Mine” occupies the middle spot and is full of dreamy melodies that also embrace grit in the crunchy climate, while “Good Ol’ Days” moves softly, with no lack of beauty amid the sublime, cautious landscape.
Later on, the cozy guitar of “The Flame In Wait” accents the reflective tone of the album’s best tune, and “New Year” exits the listen with perhaps their most mature tune yet, where the band layer the atmosphere with an inimitable chemistry of rugged yet pretty song craft.
Unfortunately for Spencer, his decision to leave his job for music happened just before the pandemic, and this album was recorded during those frustrating months of 2020 that shut down the world. It must have sparked a significant creativity in him, though, cause this funky, bluesy and folky version of Americana makes it very clear that music should be his full time focus.
Travels well with: Bo Armstrong- Chasing Ballads; Mac Leaphart- Music City Joke