By Brian Rock
The quarrelling darlings of county, The Waymores return with their fourth album, The Knot. Recalling classic country couples of the past, husband and wife bandmates Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise exchange vocals like George Jones and Tammy Wynette. They also exchange insults like comedians at a Friar’s Club roast. Although they may bicker verbally, they make beautiful music together; creating authentic honky-tonk boot scooters and ballads.
The title song sets the tone for the album. Unhappy with the current state of their relationship, Annalise complains, “Well you gave me a ring and you said, ‘I do.’ But now you don’t love me like you used to do. You never take me out just to have some fun.” Neal is not without his complaints either, singing, “Now I love you and you love me, but lately I’ve been living in misery. I keep hearing tales that you’re doing me wrong.” Together they commiserate that, “The knot we tied just came undone.” Rollicking honky-tonk guitar riffs make a playful counterpoint to the combative lyrics. As if inspired by the music, Neal has a change of heart and sings, “Now, we can find a way to make it right ‘cause I don’t want to see a good thing die. I’m telling you right now baby I’ll change my ways.” Equally moved, Annalise replies, “Well I promise you darling that you’re the one. I don’t know what you’ve been hearing, but you’re hearing wrong.” Together they reassert, “The knot we tied won’t come undone.”
“Highway Song,” adds pedal steel and acoustic guitar as Heath sings of his love for the road, and Annalise sings, “All I ever hear from you is, ‘I’m off again. I’ll see you soon’.” “For Good This Time,” finds the couple plotting to “drink you off my mind.” “Cowboy,” is a blistering condemnation of a wannabe cowboy. “A Dozen Roses,” tries to compensate for time away from each other with flowers. The couple takes inspiration from an Andy Griffith Show episode for, “Don’t Know Why.” Singing, “I recall the day that I met you. You said ‘hello’ and stole my heart away. What a fool I was to have let you, and I don’t know why I let you treat me that way;” Neal recounts his zero to sixty (then back to zero) high speed romance. Pondering the bittersweet conundrum of missing someone you know is bad for you, he sings, “Deep down in my mind I hope that you come back, but my heart hopes that you stay away.” Through all their ups and downs, The Waymores create insanely catchy dance floor rhythms. Combining electric, acoustic and pedal steel guitars, the band blends Bakersfield, honky-tonk, and piedmont blues tones into an irresistible classic country combo that’s both nostalgic and excitingly fresh.
Slowing the pace, Neal and Annalise sing about realizing too late what you’ve lost on the ballads, “Forever Fool,” “Ain’t Missing You,” Waiting For You,” and “No Good.” Each of these tear-in-your beer songs are poignant, poetic and packed with weepy pedal steel. Like all married couples, The Waymores have their occasional spats, but they somehow find a way to transform the madness to music. With touches of humor and a heavy dose of honky-tonk, the Waymores make fighting almost as much fun as making up.
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Brian Rock
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