This means that the band's broad focus becomes The Wayback Machine's strongest characteristic. Multiple personalities are a given in a band with four lead vocalists, a constantly changing lineup of guests and choices of cover tunes that range from Bob Dylan to Rosie Flores, and from Michael Franti and Spearhead to Pink Floyd.
While Seckinger's got the sweetest voice--and the tunes on which she sings are the most solidly in the alt-country/Americana tradition--Woolley pens some charming originals, such as the Appalachian-meets-Cajun ramble "Bluegrass Gumbo."
The best groove jells on Franti's "Sweet Little Lies," especially when saxophonist Amo Chip Dabney trades lines with guitarist Mitzi Cowell. Not surprisingly, Wayback does a nice job on the Beatles chestnut "The Word," but you might be shocked when you realize that the bouncy Western jam featuring electric guitar, fiddle, banjo and sax is "Another Brick in the Wall (Parts 1, 2 and 3)." You get your meat and your pudding.
