Seattle, Washington’s own dynamic quartet Walking Papers is back with its second album, WP2. The follow up to their 2013 debut release, Walking Papers seems to already have a buzz for being an album music lovers of all genres will embrace for its bluesy-hard rock style mixed with melodic vocals.
In 2012, Jeff Angell (Post Stardom Depression and The Missionary Position) and Barrett Martin (Skin Yard, Screaming Trees, Mad Season and Tuatara) veterans of Seattle’s own infamous music scene, created Walking Papers. They started out just playing together, Angell on guitar and Martin on drums but brought in Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Loaded) and Benjamin Anderson (The Missionary Position) thus rounding out the band.
They dropped their debut album, Walking Papers in 2013 which featured special guests such as Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) playing guitar solos on a few songs, Dave Carter on trumpet, Ed Ulman on trombone and Dan Spalding on baritone saxophone. All the instruments added flavor to the richness of the band’s sound.
The band is made up of Jeff Angell on lead vocals and guitar, Duff McKagan on bass, Barrett Martin on drums/percussion, backing vocals, tubular bells and vibes and Benjamin Anderson on keyboards and backing vocals that make up a Super group quartet that truly is worth listening too.
WP2 from the start gives the listener a unique ride full of blues, hard rock and even some good old punk rock vibes. With a rich, deep-rooted steady drum and bass playing, a nasty guitar solo and melodic vocals that weave their way through the music, “My Luck Pushed Back” is the perfect song to start off the album.
Some songs on the WP2 that will be fan favorites are “Death On The Lips” with its soul and funk vibe that will take the listener back to the late 1960’s and 1970’s when bands like The Doors were making music. With organs, killer guitar solos, slow jive bass, drum playing and Angell’s vocals will embrace and mesmerize fans.
“Red and White” and “Don’t Owe Me Nothing” are rock ballads with a strong bass presence along with rolling drums that can be heard throughout the song. Angell’s vocals take the listener on a ride full of powerful emotions.
Three songs that embrace the alternative rock and punk vibe that only Seattle’s finest can produce are “Something Else”, “Yours Completely “and “Before You Arrived”. The band brings in the steady bass and drums mix with keys and killer guitar sections that mixed with a strong vocal performance by Angell making for some great upbeat sounds.
There are plenty of steady rock songs on the album which include “I Know You’re Lying”, “Hard To Look Away” and “King Hooker”. In true hard fashion the band shows why they truly are top dogs at what they do. With rumbling bass, rolling drums, rhythmic guitar riffs, powerhouse vocal, and even keys add their mark in the songs allowing for some tunes to have fans rocking out.
The last song on the album seems to be a powerful melodic one and full of emotions. “Right In Front Of Me”, shows the multifaceted style the band embraces musically. A song unlike any other will end the album making listeners feel complete and feel at awe with what they just experienced.
Walking Papers has outdone itself with WP2 with the ability to have such diverse sound and songs ranging from blues to rock to punk to hard rock. The band truly put together a plethora of music allowing for some powerhouse songs. The album is sure to be one that will go on to be a fan favorite and one of the best works of the year.
