- Rock/Pop
- 2007
- Buy the CD
Reviewed by Mike Farley
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“Hardly Enough” kicks things off, breezy with nicely placed guitar and piano parts, and then “Home” follows that up as a song with a pretty, harmony-drenched chorus. “Mine to Remember” is a holdover from WAZ’s EP from a few years back, and it’s the same strong version. “Why Can’t We” is a bit of a departure here, up-tempo and the kind of song you know his band has fun playing live. But WAZ is best suited for slow, moody ballads, and on “Maria” and “Release,” he absolutely shines. Lastly, there is “Holding On,” a steady, pulsing number with screaming Neil Young-influenced guitars, somehow a nice counterpoint to WAZ’s pop hooks.
Some albums take little or no effort to like. The Sweet Bye and Bye is not only one of those releases, it’s the kind of album that may just have major label execs wondering where the hell he’s been all their lives. Then again, maybe not, because that would be giving the record industry as it currently exists too much credit. Instead, just enjoy WAZ and this gem of mainstream bliss, because music like this doesn’t come around too often.
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