Musical Style: Hard Rock/Acoustic	Produced By:
Record Label: Spun	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2018	Artist Website: Wales Road
Tracks: 21	Rating: No Quote
Running Time: 77:05

Am I out of line to suggest expectation can be potentially unreasonable as it pertains to compilations albums?  If familiarity breeds contempt, then the better acquainted that one is with a band, then greater the opportunity to be disappointed over any compilation album to draw upon its back catalog.  I have closely following Stryper since its mid-eighties inception, but if it decides, for example, in the coming future to release another compilation album, any review I write more than likely would pick apart its track listing (i.e.: Why did they include that song?  Why did they exclude that one?).  That is the reason I typically eschew compilation releases in favor of burning my favorite songs of a specific artist onto a CD-R instead.

Hence, my initial reservation when approached by Wales Road about reviewing its independently released (via Spun Records) spring of 2018 compilation offering Trees & Pretty Things.  The album finds the Rochester, New York based project of vocalist and guitarist Tommy Wales venturing outside the norms and revealing a bit more than meets the eye as it pertains to the compilation genre- and leaves me a bit taken aback as a result.  Rather than a random sampling of songs taken from the artists musical repertoire, which dates to the mid-nineties and encompasses 18 previous albums, Trees & Pretty Things is actually a concept based compilation release, both musically and lyrically.  In terms of the former, Wales specifically chose material that draws upon a strong blues influence, whether hard rock and metal or that of an acoustic to pop based variety.  From standpoint of the latter, he breaks the album into two separate sections, with the first entitled “Dirt” and exclusive to songs about broken relationships, struggles and loneliness, and second entitled “Paved” to highlight more evangelistic and edifying lyrics. 

Dirt

“Dirt” opens to one of its most identifiable songs - at least for me - in “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not”, which comes off what in my opinion is the better of the three Wales Road albums I have heard, Wounds & Whispers from 2015 (noting the 80% Angelic Warlord review).  It proves a hand in glove fit and not just musically with its bluesy hard rock signatures but also lyrically in aligning with the Wounds & Whispers theme revolving around the emotional and spiritual turmoil the artist suffered as a result of (in his own words) ‘my bride of five years (dumping) me for another person’.  The same applies to second Wounds & Whispers cut “This Side Of Eternity”, slower but also heavier with its crunchy guitar aspects and enhanced bass underpinnings. 

Heavy as well but lightened acoustically is “Pretty Obvious”, blithe in negotiating its length to lively bass as staunch rhythm guitars dives in and out of the mix, and “Pieces Of Poetry”, also of a coming and going guitar presence but with the greater emotional edge found in the artists melancholic vocal performance.  Early nineties Bride comes to mind either way.

Not quite heavy but still brusque is “Hand Me Down Blues”, reveling in Glenn Kaiser Band style traditional blues with its shuffling front to back mentality and Wales lending some lower register grit to his at times mid-ranged and others classic tenor vocal style.  The bluesy mindset spills over onto “Glimpses” but in a laid back acoustic blues setting to remind of Resurrection Band in lighter mode.  Tying both songs together is melody of a haunting nature.

Also in an acoustic vein is “She Is All”, albeit upholding a decided pop basis with its carefree semblance and keyboards canvassing the backend.  Vocal melodies lend a burnishing feel.  Acoustic guitar defines “Tearful” as well but in a shorter (two-minute) interlude form with its dreamy and atmospheric feel.

Paved

“Paved” is exclusive to more songs in comparison (13 to 8), although with many in the two to three minute range or shorter, while placing greater emphasis on the acoustic.  Of course, in no way does this mean “Paved” fails to rock heavily, which it aptly does on opening and closing bookend pieces “Purple Heart, Silver Cross” and “You”.

Former ranks alongside my Wales Road favorites found in how it merges straight on Rez Band style hard rock and Stevie Ray Vaughan bluesy sentiments with outside the box punk like angst.  Churning, intense and plainspoken is the feel at hand.  Helping carry it out to six satisfying minutes is the DJ voice over at the start, which the artist recorded off the radio and edited to the song specifically for the compilation.

Equally good and every bit the driven monster, “You” also sets a trenchant tone with its battering guitars backed by harmonica but also reveals a melodic side in its infectious ‘You, You, ooh, my God’ refrain.  Best part might be the Southern tinges dual lead guitar harmony instrumental jam closing out the final two minutes.

Also of a forward nature is “A Love Song To My King”, a seventies influenced hard rocker alive with upbeat hooks, female ‘hallelujah’ backing vocals and a cool keyboard driven instrumental section.  “I Need You” hits heavily as well but taking a traditional blues heading in starting slowly only to forthrightly builds as brazen guitars and classic rock flavored instrumental moments prevail.

Remaining “Paved” material trends towards the acoustic but is solid all the same.  I enjoy the most that which takes a bluesy direction, including “Mercy Cry” with its accenting organ and artist revealing his baritone vocal qualities, and “What I Need” in blending harmonies with whispered vocal melodies.  “Have Mercy” traverses traditional blues but in a more up-tempo form with a strong melody and gritty vocals as does “Early In The Mornin’” in decelerating impetus to a near crawl with its laid back slide guitar.

In terms of straight up acoustic rock, “Just As If” manifests a deep-seated bass line with pop leanings, while “Help Me Jesus” ups tempo and amalgamates keyboards with its basic but not simplistic form.  Tying everything together is the albums delicate title track aligning acoustic guitar with medieval sentiments that hint of ArkAngel, particularly the mellower ‘Wind Face’ first side to its 1980 release Warrior.

Summary I

Of the albums 21 tracks I am familiar with just three, including the two aforementioned off Wounds & Whispers in addition to “I Need You” from the artists 75% Angelic Warlord reviewed 2011 release Beyond The Shadow Of A Doubt.  This leads to the two main closing points at hand:

1) Due to not having heard a good percentage of the Wales Road back catalog, I identify less with Trees & Pretty Things as a compilation album - keeping in mind the fine job it does as such – that I might be inclined to question its track listing.  Rather, it comes across more as a fresh, new listen in that this is the first time I have had opportunity to become acquainted with most of its material, which leads us to my second point:

2) Despite drawing upon such a wide array of sources, Trees & Pretty Things flows logically in terms of its track listing in lacking the ‘thrown together’ feel often associated with ‘greatest hits’ style compilation releases.  This directly correlates to how it draws upon a conceptual basis relating to its bluesy musical leanings in addition to lyrical direction associated with its separate “Dirt” and “Paved” sides.  As such, Trees & Pretty Things serves as a good compilation introduction to Wales Road for those not familiar with its extensive back catalog.

Summary II

I thought it would be a good idea to close the review by offering the artists thoughts in regards to music and ministry in general:

Acts 1:8 talks about four types of ministry.  1) Jerusalem- your local hometown; bands that play only in their own hometown. That’s what Wales Road is. We are a 'Jerusalem ' ministry. We don’t rent a bus or try to tour. We play locally in colleges, bars, churches, clubs, jail etc. wherever Jesus opens doors.  2) Judea - these are bands that play the surrounding area. We don’t even really travel out of Monroe County. 3) Samaria - farther out. I would say these are like bands that only play in America. 4) The ends of the Earth. Bands like Skillet and Stryper, who have record deals and recording companies, who help them travel 'all over the world’.

More specifically, Wales considers himself a ‘musicianary’, whose vision is to write songs about his faith and failures, trials and testimony in the hope that if he is transparent with his brokenness, it will help others ‘let down their guard and wall’ and be open to the Mercy and Grace of Jesus.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing (“Dirt”): “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not” (3:58), “Pretty Obvious” (5:54), “Hand Me Down Blues” (3:58), “Pieces Of Poetry” (4:17), “She Is All” (3:06), “Glimpse” (4:58), “Tearful” (1:47), “This Side Of Eternity” (3:55)

Track Listing (“Paved”): “Purple Heart, Silver Cross” (5:55), “A Love Song To My King” (3:07), “I Need You” (4:44), “Mercy Cry” (4:09), “What I Need” (3:25), “Broken Train” (1:27), “Have Mercy” (2:37), “Early In The Mornin’” (2:05), “Just As If” (3:36), “Spoken Words” (:25), “Help Me Jesus” (4:58), “Trees & Pretty Things” (3:00), “You” (5:46)