Description
The self-titled and third album by the American alternative rock band The Waiting was released on Sparrow Records in 1997, distributed by Chordant Distribution Group. The album was recorded by Skye McCaskey at Neverland Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; and was produced by Steve Hindalong of The Choir with band member Todd Olsen. Mixed by Bill Deaton at Gambit Studio in Gallatin, Tennessee.
The Waiting are Brad Olsen on vocals, Todd Olsen on guitar and vocals, Clark Leake on bass, and Brandon Thompson on drums. The album also features guest musicians Phil Madeira on accordion and mellotron, and Matt Slocum of Sixpence None the Richer fame on cello. Strings on “It Is Enough” arranged and conducted by Tom Howard.
Pun alert! Pun alert!
“How can you wait for something you didn’t even know was out there?” (Yes, I know the more doctrinally-inclined of you out there will say that’s exactly what we do with our Christian walk, but bear with me here….)
No? Well, how about “If you’ve been looking for something to fill your quirky four-man rock band from Georgia quotient, your wait is over.”
And “The Waiting’s wait to release their new record has come to an end.” Okay, I’m done now.
Seriously though, this group’s Sparrow debut may be one of the coolest records to come down the big pipe this year. And any success this band garners from this album is well deserved because they’ve been on the verge of breaking out for some time now, and something has always intervened.
In 1995, it was the cancellation of the Creation festival, for which they were booked for a main stage appearance. Last year, it was the fallout of their previous label, R.E.X., being acquired by another company which left them (and continues to leave Sixpence None the Richer) in limbo.
Thar’s all water under the bridge, and now the jangly rock-pop Georgians have a collection of 12 new songs that will, hopefully, capture the record buying public’s attention.
Co-produced by The Choir‘s Steve Hindalong and The Waiting’s guitarist Todd Olson, the record is reminiscent of fellow peach staters’ R.E.M. and Vigilantes of Love, injected with a lot more fun and a lot less introspection.
Singer Brad Olson (Todd’s brother) has one of the quirkiest male voices in the business (trust me, this is a good thing), with a slight glottal quality that wraps around the lyrics, making every word sound well-considered and important.
The songs themselves are chock full of lyrical intricacies, with hardly a cliché in the bunch. The choruses are catchy and singable, such as the ones on «How Do You Do That?» and «Number 9», but the verses force you to pay attention because you might miss the twists and turns of where they are going if you are not careful.
All of these things make this record one of the “must haves” of the year, but on top of that, The Waiting may be one of the most entertaining live bands around right now. With beach, convertible and festival season swiftly approaching, having your favorite summertime band in place early is an important thing. Get this record, go to one of The Waiting’s shows, and have a great time singing along. You won’t be disappointed. [Lucas W. Hendrickson, CCM, May 1997]
> iTunes
CD tracklist:
01. Never Dim – 3:53
02. How Do You Do That? – 3:26
03. Put The Blame On Me – 2:57
04. It Is Enough – 4:41
05. My Pride – 3:31
06. Hands In The Air – 6:50
07. Number 9 – 2:53
08. Better Off As Friends – 3:58
09. Heaven Is Home – 2:35
10. No Time For That – 2:51
11. Indian Summer – 4:05
12. Beautiful Blood – 3:04
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Sparrow Records.
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