As the name suggests,
Why the Wait was an attempt to satiate fans who questioned whether a string of solo performances by lead vocalist Justin Moore had spelled the end of the Memphis darlings just when they were gathering momentum. The five-song EP was released in 2006, two years after the band signed with Hollywood Records. Fans considered this plenty of time to craft more of the band's rootsy, modern Southern rock. Whatever soul searching Moore did while taking to the road on his own seemed to do some good, because he laid down some of his best lyrics and melodies on this short but satisfying collection. "Firefly Ride" starts the album with a bar band boogie that features horns and a hot honky tonk piano riff. Few listeners could deny ever feeling the way that Moore does in "Love Is Just a Word," a heartbroken request for a more honest and meaningful relationship. Yet just when it sounds like the band is evolving towards full-fledged roots rock, a note-for-note cover of
Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill" reminds listeners that
Ingram Hill is still an equal part '90s-influenced alt rock.
Why the Wait set the bar high for the band's next full-length album (2007's
Cold in California) but gave fans plenty of ear candy in the meantime. ~ Jared Johnson