Overexposure should be listened to with a) an instrument in hand, b) a beer in hand/several beers in your stomach, or c) a turntable. Why a)? Because you will look down at whatever instrument you have chosen to hold - maybe with intentions to play along with the music you're about to hear - and realize that the music is not only technical, but it is difficult to decipher. Why b)? Because you're most likely seeing The Wayward live. Why c)? Because the Overexposure LP was pressed on translucent yellow/gold vinyl. When it spins, it's a sight to behold. But why should you listen to The Wayward in the first place?
Fairfax, Virginia's The Wayward is characterized by sometimes discordant, sometimes melodic but always intricate music. Overexposure is a sampling of progressive music in that it highlights offbeat styles and ways of playing. It's impressive to discover that only three people make all of this noise.
"Live in a Vacuum" was my first introduction to The Wayward. Although the song was played much faster when I saw the band play in Baltimore, the lively dissonance in its beginning still shines through on the record. "Detective Story" features some awesome syncopation and guitar play from 3:40 until 4:00. The track starts off with over a minute of distant, distorted conversation before it slowly collects momentum.
"Peacock" is a furious instrumental track that highlights guitarist Nick Skrobisz's chops. The song goes through a myriad of changes and seems to capture a feeling of complete madness. I picture a clip of a beehive with worker bees frantically busying themselves in some kid of instinctive, frenzied harmony. "Peacock" is playing in the background. The music becomes more and more intense as the queen bee is attacked by her loyal workers. Something in the hive has made these bees turn on their leader. The Wayward's music fills the honeycomb with tumult rather than honey. An equally everywhere song is "Opportunist." It's seemingly scattered concoction of notes and beats last only a minute and a half, but it shows what kind of arrangements these musicians can prepare.
"Shovel" sounds like something that might come out of Eastern Europe with its sporadic trills and icy arpeggios. As the longest song on Overexposure, "Shovel" serves as a culmination of The Wayward's diverse recordings on the album. Its last few seconds conclude the record on a somber note. Listen to Overexposure and let it boggle your mind for a bit.
