Southern twang, groovy rock, and quirky indie-pop mashed together may sound like chaos — but that’s exactly what Wrong Way at the Roundabout (WW@R) stands for. Describing themselves as a “funky alt-rock quartet,” the Seattle-based Americana band — comprised of Richard Laqueur on vocals and guitar; Tom Wade on bass, guitar, and vocals; Xavier Salinas on guitar; and Jack Brady on drums — has forged their own unique style, one that you can’t help but tap your toes to. Their debut, self-titled album, released April 17, combines twelve tracks recorded between 2016 and 2019 and spans a myriad of genres and styles. “Beauty and order can be found in the most chaotic of places,” reads a snippet from the band’s website. “Even when going the Wrong Way at the Roundabout.”
Kicking off the record is the twangy, Grateful Dead-esque “Cruisin.” Featuring vocalist Tiffani Werre along with Josh Brockmeyer on drums and Drew Brady and Seven Sky Spillios on keys, WW@R presents a feel-good anthem about moving on and leaving the past behind. “Cruisin” combines a breathable electric guitar melody with harmonies between Werre and Laqueur, reminiscent of driving down a hot highway in the California Valley. Straightforward lyrics like, “Cruisin up Highway 5 / Toward a new life, a new, new life,” in addition to the band’s southern-rock instrumentals, makes this track a relaxed, pool-party jam that would fit right in with any ‘70s rock radio station.
Transitioning from groovy funk to slower, thoughtful rock is the indie-Americana “Rain” — a track about cleansing the past — featuring Werre as the lead vocalist. Thoughtfully crafted lyrics such as, “Who’s to blame / I don’t care / We just need rain / To wash it away” blend seamlessly with male backup vocals and a funky melody punctuated by electric guitar and keys. This track may be about washing away the past, but the instrumentals are hopeful, happy, and energetic: A recovered heroin addict, Laqueur’s writing accurately reflects his newfound outlook on the beautiful and positive qualities of life, rather than the sad and depressing. This mindset adds a layer of brilliance throughout the record, proving that even the toughest of times can be turned around with a little groove and a lot of heart.
Tenth track “Stella” is a powerful ode to a past lover. Written with Werre, the track is a slower, softer piece that utilizes acoustic guitar, minor keys, and vocal harmonies to achieve a mournful woe. The titular character, Stella, presents as a great love who has since left in search of something better. Sorrowful lyrics — “I’ll never forget her, her love was sublime / So happy I had her, but our time wasn’t mine” — drive home the misery and despair of losing someone we still deeply love and care for. “Stella” is delivered as a somber track without a positive spin, alluding that this love interest was different from the rest. While other tracks are presented with a happy outlook or a lesson learned, the solemnity of “Stella” suggests that perhaps Laqueuer is not better off without her, and her disappearance greatly changed his perspective from zeal to dejection.
But Wrong Way at the Roundabout remains an energetic record, as displayed in “Honey,” a funky, fun track reminiscent of Dave Matthews Band. A bluegrass beginning couples with a subtle electric guitar melody to create a sweet love song about searching for a lover in the wrong places. Fun, carefree lyrics such as, “I’m more than just buzzing, you’ll see / Searching for my queen” and “Bumble bumble bumble King and Queen / Now my honey’s here with me” — the latter a reference to the dating app Bumble — create a solid, feel-good anthem that you can’t help but dance along to.
The titular track serves as the final song, ending the record with a southern-rock style ode to a toxic lover, similar in musicality to first track “Cruisin.” A twangy electric guitar intro kicks off the track, delivering swaying, rhythmic instrumentals and even vocals. WW@R delivers one last composition, addressing a lover with bitter lyrics: “You know you treated me the wrong way / Taking me around the hard way, the long way.” Despite appearing as an angry last word to an ex, “Wrong Way” is a goodbye to both a toxic relationship with another person and a toxic relationship with vices. Laqueur began songwriting as a way to cope with his recovery, and “Wrong Way” could easily be interpreted as a fuck-you anthem to the very substances that were once his downfall.
A chaotic mix of genres and beautiful, purposeful lyrics come together to create Wrong Way at the Roundabout, an energetic, feel-good record. Despite the chaos, every track works together to create an overall listening experience that never feels out of place. Laqueur’s songwriting genius shines through in every note, word, and rhythm, coupled with the talent and skill of the rest of his band. It may be chaotic — it may not fit into one box — but Wrong Way at the Roundabout is undoubtedly a record for the ages.
Wrong Way at the Roundabout
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