Everett Thomas w/ Hayward Williams

Friday, July 8, 2011

\"Hayward Williams\' earnestly jaunty folk-rock might seem anachronistic in the prevailing musical atmosphere of self-conscious irony, but his combination of melody, restraint, and unabashed enthusiasm saves the day. Williams also boasts a voice that sounds several decades older than he actually is, lending his songs of love and loss a gravity they might not otherwise possess.\" - The Onion

\"Ahhh, where to start? The exquisite gruffness of a manly voice that belies the strip of a lad who appears on the photographs? The moving, intelligent storytelling, from which \"Doctors\" and \"Problems with Hemingway\" stand out --- but only just - from the crowd? Or the new-alt-country-blues (and will you forgive me that phrase) of the sound, put to beautiful use on \'Devil\'s Lament\'? In truth, its hard to put it into words; this is a fantastic record, one that\'s a treat from start to finish. On first listen, the cover of Thunder Road strikes a jarring note; when your songs are as good as Hayward\'s there seems no need to walk in another\'s shoes, but several goes later and it melds in seamlessly. You\'ll like this.\" - Americana UK