The Waybacks

Loaded (Compass)

San Francisco’s Waybacks have undergone some changes in the past few years, the biggest being the addition of Austin’s Warren Hood. A world-class fiddler, Hood’s influence is all over Loaded, the quartet’s fourth effort, acting as occasional lead singer and composing half of the disc’s 12 tracks. Even then, the Waybacks’ signature eclecticism remains intact as they travel a vast range of Americana, not only the bluegrass they’ve been unfairly pigeonholed with but also gypsy jazz, country, and Celtic rock. Founding singer-songwriter/guitarist James Nash remains a vocalist just a smidgen shy of the necessary emotion yet redeems himself on the dark title track. Hood’s sultry tribute to Walter Hyatt, “Savannah,” and his expansive instrumental “Black Cat” showcase the band’s hard-earned musicianship. As a whole, however, Loaded, finds the Waybacks a little too lightweight and derivative of similar acts without bringing anything new or distinctive to what they do. (Thursday, 9:15pm, Campground Stage; Friday, 6:45pm, ¡Zon! Stage.)

**.5

This article appears in April 18 • 2008.

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