The Way Back
Overland Park, Kansas, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
ARTIST: The Way Back
ALBUM: The Way Back EP
“Messages Get Lost” was strange because of the peculiar little ending that seemed to just be tacked on. The song had an upbeat, wispy vocals thing going (in fact, he kind of sounds like Elliott Smith) but then, with only about a minute left, it did a total 180. The tacked on ending consisted of delicate and sensitive male voice over sustained piano chords. While this has been done many times, the only thing I could think of was the painfully popular “We Are Young” by FUN. The second track, “Out of Control” was much more impressive than “Messages Get Lost.” With stronger vocals, more diverse effects, and more impressive instrumentation, “Out of Control” is a stand out. I can totally see this song being blasted through speakers at a gym, people quietly singing along as they lift weights or cycle. Yes, the vocals are far more impressive and allow the singer’s talent to show, where as, with the first song it was unclear if the singer had any true talent. “Ordinary Lives” is ok. The harmonies are nice. Not very outstanding, but they’re nice. “How It Has to Be” is a great piece of electronic music. In this song, they managed to stick with classic characteristics of electronic music, but still adding they’re own touch of an R&B quality. The last track, “I Don’t Want to Let You Go” has unpredictable melody lines, which makes for an interesting listen. I think “I Don’t Want to Let You Go” is a close second for best song on the EP, following “Out of Control.”
- Midcoast Station
ARTIST: The Way Back
ALBUM: The Way Back EP
“Messages Get Lost” was strange because of the peculiar little ending that seemed to just be tacked on. The song had an upbeat, wispy vocals thing going (in fact, he kind of sounds like Elliott Smith) but then, with only about a minute left, it did a total 180. The tacked on ending consisted of delicate and sensitive male voice over sustained piano chords. While this has been done many times, the only thing I could think of was the painfully popular “We Are Young” by FUN. The second track, “Out of Control” was much more impressive than “Messages Get Lost.” With stronger vocals, more diverse effects, and more impressive instrumentation, “Out of Control” is a stand out. I can totally see this song being blasted through speakers at a gym, people quietly singing along as they lift weights or cycle. Yes, the vocals are far more impressive and allow the singer’s talent to show, where as, with the first song it was unclear if the singer had any true talent. “Ordinary Lives” is ok. The harmonies are nice. Not very outstanding, but they’re nice. “How It Has to Be” is a great piece of electronic music. In this song, they managed to stick with classic characteristics of electronic music, but still adding they’re own touch of an R&B quality. The last track, “I Don’t Want to Let You Go” has unpredictable melody lines, which makes for an interesting listen. I think “I Don’t Want to Let You Go” is a close second for best song on the EP, following “Out of Control.”
- Midcoast Station
WCB Music Writer
Megan Purazrang
There are times in music when an electronic-based sound is nothing more than a misfit, and lacks decent substance other than noise. However this is not the case for The Way Back, an electronic rock band consisting of Alex Ellis and Jeff Kinney (former member of Roanoke and The Brisbanes) as well as Daniel Cole and Paul Herman.
The band’s EP is only a taste of the potential the full-length album will most likely hold when they begin 2013 in the studio. The electronic rock band consisting of Alex Ellis and Jeff Kinney (former member of Roanoke and The Brisbanes) as well as Daniel Cole and Paul Herman blends several genres giving an authentically created feel including: hip hop, pop, rock and even hints of experimental instrumental rhythms.
“Messages Get Lost” carries a pop-rock pulse with detailed percussion guiding the lyrics through.
“Out of Control” takes a more laid back ballad feel, bringing to mind a more mellow boy-band less straining version of that seen in the unique vocal techniques of Linkin’ Park lead singer Chester Bennington.
In the song “How It Has To Be” the band shines with the perfect batch of electronic beats and smooth vocals that vibrate with an R&B/hip hop style that has the potential to be a hit.
The Way Back has already gotten its feet wet in the music business, previously playing with well-known acts such as The Deftones and Everclear.
To follow the band and keep updated on the upcoming full-length check out the website: http://www.thewaybackmusic.com - Windy City banner
WCB Music Writer
Megan Purazrang
There are times in music when an electronic-based sound is nothing more than a misfit, and lacks decent substance other than noise. However this is not the case for The Way Back, an electronic rock band consisting of Alex Ellis and Jeff Kinney (former member of Roanoke and The Brisbanes) as well as Daniel Cole and Paul Herman.
The band’s EP is only a taste of the potential the full-length album will most likely hold when they begin 2013 in the studio. The electronic rock band consisting of Alex Ellis and Jeff Kinney (former member of Roanoke and The Brisbanes) as well as Daniel Cole and Paul Herman blends several genres giving an authentically created feel including: hip hop, pop, rock and even hints of experimental instrumental rhythms.
“Messages Get Lost” carries a pop-rock pulse with detailed percussion guiding the lyrics through.
“Out of Control” takes a more laid back ballad feel, bringing to mind a more mellow boy-band less straining version of that seen in the unique vocal techniques of Linkin’ Park lead singer Chester Bennington.
In the song “How It Has To Be” the band shines with the perfect batch of electronic beats and smooth vocals that vibrate with an R&B/hip hop style that has the potential to be a hit.
The Way Back has already gotten its feet wet in the music business, previously playing with well-known acts such as The Deftones and Everclear.
To follow the band and keep updated on the upcoming full-length check out the website: http://www.thewaybackmusic.com - Windy City banner
The Way Back exemplify the concept of the “blender” to full effect. The band employs the likes of Alex Ellis, Jeff Kinney, Daniel Cole, and Paul Herman for a well rounded and likable fouresome. In lead track ‘Messages get Lost’ from the group’s self-titled debut EP finds recollections of electronica, 90's pop rock, and soothing balladry. There is an enigmatic sonic quality to their style that recalls the best of alternative pop without ever falling into the sappy and overtly emotional arenas of some of the bigger acts of the genre.
The EP is unfortunately a much too short brisk run through five tracks that explore R&B, hip-hop, and elements of electronica in multiple winds. Out of Control attempts, very successfully by the way, a soothing laid-back R&B approach, accentuated by thickly layered electronics. Buzzing above it all is the approachable and heartwarming vocals, which ebb and flow wonderfully over carefully crafted pop and electro gems. I Don’t Want to Let You Go ends the album with a darker atmospheric jam, a soft ode and capstone to what is quickly becoming one of the best EP’s of 2012.
Ordinary Lives has a drum focus and rhythmic pulse that is eerie and sensational, and worth noting as one of the best tracks on this short record. How It Has to Be places a greater emphasis on the dance mentality, the album’s obvious most quirky and addictively ear-catching track.
I am eagerly awaiting the group’s debut full-length, which should almost certainly find the group taking their exploratory nature to a greater level. But what the band has is a conundrum. On one hand they can remain fluid and amorphous- attempting multiple sounds across many tracks, all coated in a sheen of pop music freshness. On the other hand, the band could solidify ‘who’ they are, and reign in their experimental and “blender” nature. It will be fascinating to explore what direction the clearly riveting group goes. is it wise to become even MORE like a chameleon? In this fast-paced frenetic day and age, no one knows. All we can hope is that The Way Back gets a fair shake at breaking the indie bounds and becoming a formidable name. They have all the ingredients for an everlasting grand concoction.
- Culture Tease
The Way Back exemplify the concept of the “blender” to full effect. The band employs the likes of Alex Ellis, Jeff Kinney, Daniel Cole, and Paul Herman for a well rounded and likable fouresome. In lead track ‘Messages get Lost’ from the group’s self-titled debut EP finds recollections of electronica, 90's pop rock, and soothing balladry. There is an enigmatic sonic quality to their style that recalls the best of alternative pop without ever falling into the sappy and overtly emotional arenas of some of the bigger acts of the genre.
The EP is unfortunately a much too short brisk run through five tracks that explore R&B, hip-hop, and elements of electronica in multiple winds. Out of Control attempts, very successfully by the way, a soothing laid-back R&B approach, accentuated by thickly layered electronics. Buzzing above it all is the approachable and heartwarming vocals, which ebb and flow wonderfully over carefully crafted pop and electro gems. I Don’t Want to Let You Go ends the album with a darker atmospheric jam, a soft ode and capstone to what is quickly becoming one of the best EP’s of 2012.
Ordinary Lives has a drum focus and rhythmic pulse that is eerie and sensational, and worth noting as one of the best tracks on this short record. How It Has to Be places a greater emphasis on the dance mentality, the album’s obvious most quirky and addictively ear-catching track.
I am eagerly awaiting the group’s debut full-length, which should almost certainly find the group taking their exploratory nature to a greater level. But what the band has is a conundrum. On one hand they can remain fluid and amorphous- attempting multiple sounds across many tracks, all coated in a sheen of pop music freshness. On the other hand, the band could solidify ‘who’ they are, and reign in their experimental and “blender” nature. It will be fascinating to explore what direction the clearly riveting group goes. is it wise to become even MORE like a chameleon? In this fast-paced frenetic day and age, no one knows. All we can hope is that The Way Back gets a fair shake at breaking the indie bounds and becoming a formidable name. They have all the ingredients for an everlasting grand concoction.
- Culture Tease
The Way Back – New Material from Jeff Kinney{ April 11, 2012 @ 11:45 pm } · { duo, electro rock, indie, music, Pop Rock }
{ Tags: The Way Back } · { Leave a Comment }
A while back we interviewed Jeff Kinney who had been working on some solo material. Well a year has passed and he’s back as part of electro-rock duo The Way Back. They have two songs available on their website, one of which is free if you sign up to their mailing list. “I Don’t Want to Let You Go” walks the fine line between mysterious atmosphere against soft vocals and big powerful choruses perfectly. “Ordinary Lives” is more pop orientated with swinging beats and some excellent bass guitar work.
Pop over to http://www.thewaybackmusic.com/ and listen for yourself! I’m looking forward to hearing much more from these two.
- Higher Plain Music
The Way Back – New Material from Jeff Kinney{ April 11, 2012 @ 11:45 pm } · { duo, electro rock, indie, music, Pop Rock }
{ Tags: The Way Back } · { Leave a Comment }
A while back we interviewed Jeff Kinney who had been working on some solo material. Well a year has passed and he’s back as part of electro-rock duo The Way Back. They have two songs available on their website, one of which is free if you sign up to their mailing list. “I Don’t Want to Let You Go” walks the fine line between mysterious atmosphere against soft vocals and big powerful choruses perfectly. “Ordinary Lives” is more pop orientated with swinging beats and some excellent bass guitar work.
Pop over to http://www.thewaybackmusic.com/ and listen for yourself! I’m looking forward to hearing much more from these two.
- Higher Plain Music
Discography
The Way Back EP, self titled. September 2012
Terrified. October 2013
Photos
Bio
THE WAY BACK
If The Roots, One Republic and Fun collaborated on a project produced by the great Michael Jackson, the result would be the neoteric sound of The Way Back. The Way Back is a new alternative rock band from Kansas City that produces dynamic and intricate songs, each able to elicit a slew of emotions.
Created in early 2012 by fate and a well-timed Craigslist ad, The Way Back is the fusion of experienced live and in-studio musicians who have played with several internationally acclaimed bands like the Deftones, Everclear, Thrice, and XV. They have performed at premier venues across the U.S. including the SXSW Music Festival, Whiskey A Go-Go, The Cat Club, Voodoo Lounge, Uptown Theater, San Diego Live, and MTV Doritos Jacked Stage, among others.
The group was conceived by composer Alex Ellis (Roanoke), who uses recording and sequencing/MIDI programs Ableton Live and Protools, and lead singer and guitarist Jeff Kinney (The Brisbanes) who, with several songs in independent films, also brings an impressive songwriting background to The Way Back. The group is rounded out by the addition of multi instrumentalist Paul Herman and drummer Daniel Cole, whose inimitable style is reminiscent of Snarky Puppy.
The Way Backs debut self-titled EP was originally written and collaborated on remotely in Ellis and Kinneys home studios, then tweaked to taste in-studio with Producer Matthew Russo (John Oates) and engineer Larry Gann (Lit, Rev Theory, Backstreet Boys). With influences like Broken Bells, Stabbing Westward and AWOLNATION, The Way Back offers a robust mix of dance/club/Dub-Step electronics, hip hop and alternative inspired rhythms, skillfully balanced minor and major scales accentuated by emotional and sonically layered vocals, all carefully crafted into pop structures.
Early previews of tracks off The Way Back are already receiving praise I Dont Want to Let You Go walks the fine line between mysterious atmosphere against soft vocals and big powerful choruses perfectly. Ordinary Lives is more pop oriented with swinging beats and some excellent bass guitar work. Higher Plain Music.
With the EP now completed, The Way Back is in the studio finishing their first full-length studio album, to be released and promoted this fall with a Midwestern-based tour.
For more information, track previews and contact information, visit: www.thewaybackmusic.com
Band Members
Links
