Far from Saints is the debut album by the trio Far from Saints, composed of Welsh singer-songwriter Kelly Jones and Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker of the American band the Wind and the Wave, who became friends with Jones after touring with his band Stereophonics in 2013.[1] It was released on 16 June 2023 through Ignition Records.
Background
After the Wind and the Wave had toured with Stereophonics in 2013, Jones reconnected with the duo in 2019, asking them to open for his solo tour. They struck up a musical partnership and decided to write and record an album together.[2] Recording only took nine days, but the pandemic in 2020 delayed the release of the album.[1]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| American Songwriter |   [3] |
| The Scotsman | [4] |
Alli Patton of American Songwriter described the album as a "10-track meditation on life and love that comes alive in shades of country, rock, folk, soul, and Americana" and "a great introduction to a group of seasoned musicians starting anew, leading with an unadulterated love of the music that first brought them together".[3] Fiona Shepherd of The Scotsman wrote that Far from Saints provides "ample opportunities for harmonies and Americana flavours" and the trio's debut album "plays out exactly as you might expect with a mix of country balladry, southern soul inflections, winsome vanilla pop, orchestral embellishments and the acoustic roots rock which best suits Jones's raspy voice".[4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Screaming Hallelujah" | 4:56 |
| 2. | "Faded Black Tattoo" | 4:22 |
| 3. | "Take It Through the Night" | 4:38 |
| 4. | "Let's Turn This Back Around" | 5:28 |
| 5. | "Gonna Find What's Killing Me" | 3:37 |
| 6. | "The Ride" | 4:39 |
| 7. | "We Won't Get Out Alive" | 3:32 |
| 8. | "No Fool Like an Old Fool" | 4:14 |
| 9. | "Let the Light Shine Over You" | 4:06 |
| 10. | "Own It" | 4:04 |
| Total length: | 43:36 | |
Charts
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[5] | 4 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[6] | 5 |
| UK Country Albums (OCC)[7] | 1 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[8] | 2 |
References
- ^ a b Griffiths, Mike (16 June 2023). "Kelly Jones discusses new band Far From Saints and teases 'big plans' for Stereophonics". ITV. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (20 June 2023). "Far From Saints Summon Combined Musical Spirits on Debut Album". American Songwriter. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ a b Patton, Alli (16 June 2023). "Review: Far From Saints is Boundless on Cross-Genre Debut". American Songwriter. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ a b Shepherd, Fiona (15 June 2023). "Album reviews: Django Django | Queens of the Stone Age | Far From Saints". The Scotsman. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 June 2023.