Waylandsphere

Sharing a tour with Cecil Daniels, hosting post-show gigs in New York City, and simply being from the Southeast are all factors that inevitably mean one thing - your band is destined to sound at least somewhat like Widespread Panic. And though over the past year Raleigh, NC’s Waylandsphere has built a strong personal identity, the heavy WSP influence runs rampant throughout the band’s debut album Salt Works Meditation. It’s not merely the rough-edged, southern style rock that they’ve adopted, but when lead singer David Titchener strains a lyric, even John Bell’s distinct raspy vocals are apparent. Of course there are far worse mentors to learn from, and it is a debut record, but the undeniable comparisons ultimately leave you wishing the talented quartet gave you more of the individuality that has garnered them such a strong live following.

Despite the overbearing shadow, there are moments on the album that demonstrate the band’s ability to lock-in and fully drive a soulful groove home. The opening track, “Halpern,” features a clear interplay between the four, and the quirky “Vamoos” opens itself up with playful harmonies and bouncing rhythms. And the seven minute “Rodeo,” grounded by drummer Tommy Fowler and bassist Matt Levine, rides a tight funk line from beginning to end. Yet if anything can compete with the JB-tinged vocals, it’s undoubtedly the keyboard work of Stephen Koster. A continual force on every track, his persistence brings the album the much need fire it would otherwise miss. His striking intro and the developing delicacies on “Resolution” not only make the song, but perhaps the album.

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