Release Date: June 09th 024. Record Label: Glory Or Death Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Wandering West: Tracklisting
Jimi’s Jammie
December Dewdrops
Lonely One
Breezin’
Electric Dreamland
Mind Mirage
Hello & Goodbye
Band Members
Kelley Juett - Everything
Review
Kelley Juett (Guitars/Vocals) from Texan Stoner Metallers MOTHERSHIP ventures on his own with his first solo record called Wandering West. The album features a mixture of Psych Rock, Stoner Rock, Desert Rock, Space Rock and trippy Ambient movements which is all told within an Instrumental Rock creative framework.
Perhaps more closely linked to bands such as Yawning Man than the titans of Hard Rock that MOTHERSHIP are known for. Though Kelley does pay homage to those bands as well but with a laid-back Psych Rock and Blues Rock approach which is always deeply meditative but also offering some fine amounts of heavy Post-Stoner attitude as well.
Wandering West has a free-flowing and meditative spirit when Kelley throws down some smoking CLASSIC HARD ROCK riffs when woven within the sounds of the Desert Rock scene. There also seems to be a sense of Outlaw based AMERICANA delivery within the methodology of the whole album which shines through on the superb opening tracks of Jimi’s Jammie and December Dewdrops.
Third track Lonely One is a Blues Rock sombre number with acoustic guitars set against a lush Desert Rock setting which allows Kelley to show off his more intricate and hugely talented musical skills with different types of guitars being played throughout. There’s a sense of realism and personal energy coming from this track which draws you in with each passing moment.
Fourth track Breezin’ continues with the meditative Psychedelic journey throughout the vastness of the Desert Rock scene. There’s moments of freak-ish Blues Rock and Classic Rock jams being played at a fantastic slow pace which allows Kelley to delve further into his creative persona by adding Psychedelic and Sonic trickery with the long drawn out Drone based riffs the song ultimately holds.
The final three tracks of Electric Dreamland, Mind Mirage and Hello & Goodbye sees Kelley becoming more abstract with the instrumental sounds with all tracks taking a Progressive and experimental turn but still retaining the albums easy-going Desert/Stoner Rock charm. This is perhaps my favourite part of the album with Kelley being more SHAMANIC with his great style of delivery channelling into the more experimental parts of the Desert/Stoner Rock scene especially on Electric Dreamland and Mind Mirage.
Wandering West is vastly different to MOTHERSHIP’s output but one that can be classed as something truly original within its own right. Kelley Juett has released an outstanding and highly original style of Instrumental Rock music that can be quite haunting whilst brilliantly uplifting at the same time.
This is a real work of majestic beauty that you don’t really come across that much and I’m hoping to hear more solo adventures from Kelley Juett in the future.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Glory Or Death Records for the promo.
Wandering West will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Glory Death Records from Sunday 09th June 2024.
The album is also available to buy from
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