JW Farrell - Francisville

JW Farrell

Francisville
self-released; 2018

​3.8 out of 5

By Dan Weston

JW Farrell recently released his best work yet entitled Francisville. There is something really satisfying about hearing an artist evolve. The songs on this release are a nice mix of Americana, folk and rock.

The album opens with “Two Cities” and it sounds like a great way to open. You are greeted with strummed guitar and a single mandolin string vibrating as if it’s about to burst. A bass slowly finds its way into the mix. Once Farrell’s vocals enter I was getting pretty excited about the song. The groove hits with the drums and the song just opens up and is warm, epic and inviting. There is even a breakdown with another build all under three minutes.

“Indiana Jones” has a different style. There is a surf, noir feel to the music. It sounds like some of the older classic rock bands like The Animals. The song does mention the character Indian Jones by the way but the topic is much broader.

“My Best Was Never Good Enough” is fantastic. The guitars are warm and nostalgic as he sings with regret like an old Bohemian folk singer from the ’60s. It’s also a really catchy song with memorable melodies. The piano which enters a little later in the song was a nice surprise.

“Big Jake” sort of sounds like multiple classic acts from the ‘60s like The Rolling Stones and The Velvet Underground mixed with the spirit of Bruce Springsteen. “Cocaine Shane” is a song that is just seeped in a very specific sub-genre of classic rock that has a sense of familiarity.

“The Long Goodbye” sounds like it might be a melancholy, slow ballad but it actually felt like the most celebratory and unique song to my ears. The song shift styles and emotion and eventually ends with the single acoustic guitar it starts with.

Francisville drips with obvious influence but Farrell does it in such a seamless, slick way you can’t help but love these songs. Take a listen.

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