Dave Gleason's Wasted Days are heavily influenced by the late-'60s and early-'70s country-rock of bands such as
the Flying Burrito Brothers and
the Byrds (that is, the incarnation of
the Byrds fueled by
Clarence White). And on
Just Fall to Pieces,
Gleason and this crew of Californians do a darn good job of approximating their ancestors. The album is rife with fiery, twangy guitar leads and bright peals of pedal steel, with a solid rock current maintaining the music's tough edge. "Train of Blue" is more traditional and steeped in the colors of Bakersfield, as once done up by
Merle Haggard and
Buck Owens. "Neon Rose" is an almost rockabilly-tinged attempt at honky tonk that works very well, with some solid bubbly guitar runs on the low strings. "Look at the Way You've Become" sounds eerily like a
Hillman-
Parsons composition from the early days of
the Burrito Brothers.
Gleason and
the Wasted Days are very specific in their intentions, and they are strong at what they do, but this is for country-rock purists. If you've got an attachment to
the Byrds'
Sweetheart of the Rodeo or
the Flying Burrito Brothers'
Gilded Palace of Sin, then you will certainly enjoy this album. ~ Erik Hage