Wavering Saints – Collusion

Wavering Saints
Collusion

We’ve heard the Strike Date 12″ record from the Wavering Saints before and found it quite pleasant as far as quirky indie rock goes. I’m not even going to mention the “other” famous indie band from Stockton because that might draw too-obvious comparisons.

I will say that there is a bit of a mystery surrounding the band who releases music on Central District Records. There is little info to be had on them through the website… they are certainly letting the music speak for itself. The latest EP they’ve put out is the Collusion CD EP and it continues nicely where Strike Date left off. It’s strange that the songs have a slightly lo-fi and buzzy sound to them, yet sound so much more expansive and spacious than the typical bedroom boombox band. I don’t want to say the songs are “epics” in any sense, but the way are structured just feels bigger or something.

“Subtle Believers” kicks thing off with a great rocker that motors along like a Yo La Tengo song but with vocals by Mike Kinsella. “Strike Date” (interestingly, I don’t think this song was on the actual Strike Date 12″??) mellows out with slower guitar that reminds me of some good old school Freed Weed era Sebadoh. “Homeless Teeth Transportation” turns into delicious noise rock.

Wavering Saints certainly don’t hesitate to throw gremlins in the gears as in the throwaway atmospheric 5th track of this album which will be nameless here because of abundant four letter words in the title. Strange, but that woozy, experimental track sounds a bit like Yo La Tengo as well, but more like one of their outtakes than anything. I really liked the closing track “Magentic” which combines an awesome, sleepy trumpet with echoed vocals and a simple guitar. You know, I wasn’t going to mention it but this song sure reminds me of “The Strings of Nashville” by that other Stockton band… but in a good way.

Members:

R. Yovino
E.E.N.J
Mark Aver
Bradley Smith
D. Fichera
M.S. Reynolds

Central District Records website

by Palebear