Ever since the dissolution of the band Versus, fans have been fine listening to Fontaine Toups' solo work as well as the fine work done by James Baluyut in his group +/-, but the question still remained, "Is that the last we've heard of Richard Baluyut?" Richard has still been popping up here and there fronting his former band at one-off shows (most recently at the Teenbeat Records 20th anniversary celebrations), but no music of his own has emerged until now with the release of the first album with his new band, Whysall Lane.

Although he could have gone it alone and it would have sounded just fine, Richard has decided to bring along some fine collaborators for his newest venture. Not only has he recruited former Jawbreaker drummer Adam Pfahler, but has tempered his own gruff male vocals with the lilting tones of bassist Mikel Delgado. The result hearkens back to some of the best work of Versus (especially on the melodic rocker "The Way Back") as well as more forward thinking ideas and songs (the dreamy, piano heavy "Watts" and the quiet "Not A Fool").

Richard couldn't have asked for a finer record to announce his re-emergence in the musical world with. Each aggressive moment is countered with equal parts of grace and quiet. As well, his songwriting has never been more poetic and poignant. Several songs allude to loss and displacement (particularly on the hypnotic closing track "High Heels") and others hint at a deep well of pain that is matched in the music (such as the pleading and devastating "Watts"). A stunning return to form from one of this nation's finest independent artists.