Why Wait - Chemistry EP

​Why Wait

Chemistry EP
self-released; 2017

​3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Why Wait is a band from Australia consisting of Dylan Russell (guitar/vocals), Gabriel Stathooles (drums) and Stuart Reaston (bass). The band has recently released Chemistry which is a  straightforward pop/rock album. 

The band plays into common tropes for better or for worse that you have heard before unless you have been living in a cave. They stick to 4/4 time signatures and major and minor scales while laying into verse/chorus/verse/guitar solo type structure. The band plays radio ready rock songs that will appeal to a general demographic and have a lot harder time finding an audience for those who appreciate something on the fringe. 

The production is top notch and fits the type of music they play. They are in the pocket and play well together.

The album starts with “Prelude” which sounds like nothing else else off the album and was an odd way to start things off given none of the songs sound similar. ”Prelude” isn’t just a collection of ambient sounds. There is a full-fledged groove that sounds to my ears largely electronic with multiple synth and no guitars. 

The first song that gives you an idea of what the band actually sounds like is “Purpose.” Suffice it to say if you enjoy this you will enjoy the rest of the album. There are some solid hooks, transitions and crescendos. “Retrospect” harks back to ’90s bands and beyond like Weezer with a little more Eagles inspired lead guitar while “Home” is about as single worthy as it gets. As the album progresses they continue to feed into the sound they established with “Start Again” and “Dreaming Of….”

The band has a lot of talent; I just think they have a very ubiquitous sound. With so much music it's more important than ever to try and stick out. I would have liked to have heard the band experiment a little more and think outside of the box but maybe they plan to do that after that catch a broad audience. That's not to say this band can’t skyrocket to stardom because the songs are very well delivered and written but the chances of that happening with countless bands climbing up the same tree are greatly diminished. Godspeed and good luck.

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