Album Review

Wayfarer – The Albatross We Keep

• 18th Feb 2014

This 5 track offering from Wayfarer, the stage name of Nic Piscitello, has more heart than most full length albums. The ex-post hardcore man has stripped back his sound in this near-folk EP, but has not lost any value.

It kicks off with ‘Worried Ways’, which opens with Piscitello wearing his heart on his sleeve, something he does for the entire 20 minutes or so of music here. He laments of spending “so much time / on emptiness”, while the chorus exclaims he spends more time on his worried thoughts and ways.

This is swiftly followed by short track ‘Skeletons’, which leads into ‘Oh And On’, a track which wouldn’t be out of place on a Damien Rice record. Piscitello shows his lyrical and musical talent here, weaving through the song in a swaying way, grabbing the listener instantly. And, with an infectious chorus such as this, you’ll be singing long after the song has finished.

As it is an EP, it is short in length, but it dovetails throughout and is one of the easiest listens you will have this year. It culminates with the best track, ‘Best And Worst’. One which starts like any other of the 4 on offer – acoustic guitar and haunting vocals, reminiscent of City And Colour. But it soon turns into a rip-roaring song which has Piscitello roaring at his broken heart, asking “where’ve you been?”, almost missing the sentiment of yearning. His voice crackles as he shows more emotion in 4 minutes than many can in a lifetime.

The Albatross We Keep is a short insight into what we have to look forward to from Wayfarer, and is bubbling with quality. Wayfarer, and Piscitello, are names to keep an eye out for, as we’ll be hearing much more from both in the future.

Venue: The Albatross We Keep
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