Zero Mag Post-Waking Ashland Review

Waking Ashland-The Well
Waking Ashland apparently broke up in July, 2007. This is quite a pity, because the music on The Well is so wonderful. The album has a very happy-go-lucky feel to it. This is the type of stuff you’d want to listen to if you were feeling a bit down. It is such pretty, happy stuff that you can’t help but feel better. The songs center on Jonathan Jones’s piano and vocals and Ryan Lallier’s guitar parts, both of which are solid and beautiful. Evidence of this can be found on tracks “Salt Lake Jam,” “Diamonds on the Hillside,” and “Sinking Is Swimming.” “Salt” has a bit of a march feel to it, with Jones hitting pretty falsettos on the chorus. “Diamonds” sounds a bit like the Beatles meets Ben Folds. “Sinking” is a sparse piano ballad with some sweeping guitar bends ala Coldplay’s “Trouble.” The standout track is “Mark Like Mine,” a gorgeous song full of vocal harmonies and wonderful production. This is a solid band with a very wide base of appeal. It sucks that these guys broke up since they had such potential. Whatever the case, check out The Well for the excellent song-writing and good vibes.