Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

The Wayward Kind

The Wayward Kind
Avalanche EP

Street Date: April 25, 2018
Style: Acoustic Rock
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: TheWayWardKind.com
Buy It: AmazonMP3



The state of Kansas isn't well-known for its citizens forming famous bands. A few bands have gone on to make something of themselves, such as Pillar, Abandon Kansas, and...well, Kansas. All that being said, there is no shortage of musical acts in the state, as Hutchinson-native Jeremy Stokely can attest. Under the name The Wayward Kind, Stokely has begun writing and recording songs that he wrote while deployed in the Middle East. His latest album is the Avalanche EP, which features five songs that cover a few different genres. The best description for The Wayward Kind's sound would be acoustic rock; electric guitars aren't completely absent from the mix, but they play a relatively minor role in the grand scheme of the sound. In general, Avalanche is almost like a collection of rock ballads, like "Scandalous," which would make a great softer moment in the middle of a hard rock album. However, this is also an example of a song that would sound great as a harder rock song, much like most of this album. With the songs in an acoustic format, Stokely ends up singing in a breathy voice, noticeably holding himself back, when it's likely that he has a strong voice. Though the acoustic setting does provide some more intimate moments (and even some nice guitar work, like in "Moment"), I'd love to hear him belt it out over a crunchy guitar riff. The last two songs of the EP also hold the EP back a little, each for a different reason. "Invincible" recalls Stokely's time in the Middle East and the difficulties associated with it, but the verses are rapped instead of sung. It's vaguely reminiscent of early Mat Kearney, but Stokely's flow is fairly basic, and it seems a little odd in the context of the EP. "Chariot" goes back to singing, but the reserved nature of the vocals makes them sound a little weaker here. Additionally, the lyrics are sweet and would obviously mean a lot to the recipient, but they aren't objectively strong lyrics ("She's my home when traveling, she makes me well, she's medicine...She is fire, she burns my soul, she is rock and she is roll"). Overall, there's more to like about The Wayward Kind than not. I would love to hear future releases feature perhaps some heavier instrumentation, shying away from strictly acoustic material, while Stokely develops his vocals a little more. But despite its imperfections, Avalanche has some great moments, and makes for an interesting release.

- Review date: 7/5/18, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, July 29, 2025
ALBUMS
Magdalene Rose The Heart That Bloomed After Death [Rockfest]

SINGLES
Josiah Queen Cloud and Fire - Single [Capitol CMG]
Stryper Still The Light - Single [Frontiers]

This Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Above the Clouds The Messengers [Polished Arrow]
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
Illbrio Part Two/font> (independent)
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Brandon Mitchell GAMETIME [Syntax]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Christyan Scarborough All Dog$ Go To Heaven - Single [Syntax]
BASECAMP Lord's Day - Single [Polished Arrow]
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Dave Hall Safe Part II (ft. Megan Tossi & Kayo Bracey) - Single [Syntax]
JusRzd Receipts (ft. GB) - Single [Syntax]
K3hlab iPraise (Remix) (ft. CJ Emulous & Xay Hill) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Trav Hit His Parlay - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Back to Brooklyn - Single [Syntax]
Q-Flo Hilltop Cypher (ft. DJ Mykael V, Glenn Ray, Parris Chariz & Prodi Da Prodigal) - Single [Syntax]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Swing Wide - Single [Vineyard UK]
Solachi Voz Knew Me (ft. GODSVOIC3 & Key'ijah) - Single [Syntax]
VOTA Try - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, August 8, 2025
ALBUMS
CXMMXNS All The Praise Belongs [Provident]
Blessing Offor Real [Capitol CMG]
Zane Walls Think About Me - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - Single [DREAM]
We Are Messengers Losing You - Single [Curb]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images