Snoit Celfer

Review by Steven Azami 11/28/25

Overall Impression Andrews Way take listeners on a high-fantasy epic adventure, with their release of "Snoit Celfer". The husband and wife songwriting team of John and Stacey Andrews spin a tale of an unlikely hero who sets about on a noble quest, complete with dragons, sorcery and swordplay. An eclectic rock arrangement follows the compelling narrative by shifting moods and motifs to match the story line, conveying a wide array of feelings and emotions ranging from paralyzing fear to valiant gallantry. At around seven and a half minutes, "Snoit Celfer" delivers a complete odyssey from beginning to end, leaving audiences feeling satiated and satisfied. Prog rock fans in particular will revel in the fantasy themes and adventurous score, and can find a delightful music video on the Andrews Way YouTube channel.

Strongest Point(s) Incredible production, solid mix. Really impressive scope and scale, clearly a labor of love. Amazing composition and arrangement that mirrors the narrative as it unfolds. Wonderful instrumentation throughout, love all of the non-traditional rock elements that give this track a truly unique "ren-faire" sound, particularly the flute and the quick brass fanfare. Nice thunderstorm foley, adds a great darkness to that section. Fantastic vocal performance and production; good clarity and great-sounding harmony stacks. Creative use of filters as well. Lyrics are brilliant, chronicling the hero's journey and following a fundamental narrative pattern from departure to return, a story cycle that has served humanity for eons to delineate psychological growth and transformation. Awesome track all around that shows tremendous creativity within pop/rock parameters, as well as a return to the high-fantasy progressive rock that was quite prevalent in the past. Absolutely magical work on this one, terrific job!

Target Audience Appeal Fans of Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Folk Rock, Progressive Rock

Artist target suggestions Rilo Kiley, Regina Spektor, Aimee Mann, St. Vincent, Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom, Björk, Molly Tuttle, Fairport Convention, Renaissance, Bent Knee, Deerhoof, Feist

About The Reviewer
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent within the next generation of musical explorers.

Badfinger: Come and Get It / No Matter What / Day After Day / Baby Blue / Carry On Till Tomorrow

Reviewed by Steven Azami 3/11/25

Overall Impression The husband and wife team of John and Stacey Andrews, also known as Andrews Way, pay homage to the British classic rock group Badfinger with a tribute medley featuring five of the band's greatest hits. The slightly abridged cover versions on "Badfinger: Come and Get It / No Matter What / Day After Day / Baby Blue / Carry On Till Tomorrow" stay fairly true to the genuine article, with the satisfying hooks and huge guitars remaining intact. The origins of power pop are apparent in the sweetly melodic guitar riffs and tight vocal harmonies faithfully recreated by John and Stacey on this loving tribute with a nearly eleven minute runtime, highlighted by seamless transitions and a fine attention to detail that Badfinger fans will certainly appreciate. Classic rock and power pop fans should absolutely check out "Badfinger: Come and Get It / No Matter What / Day After Day / Baby Blue / Carry On Till Tomorrow", by Andrews Way.

Strongest Point(s) Awesome production, fantastic mix. Excellent clarity and tonal balance, as well as use of stereo space. Great set of songs, good selection and program order. "Come and Get It" is a terrific opener. Authentic arrangements that perfectly capture the sound and the style of the originals, brilliant job with the execution of the guitar parts in particular. You really nailed the various tones and the twin lead techniques they liked to use. Incredible vocal performances and production. Stacey's leads on "Come and Get It" and "Day After Day" really stand out, as well as John's "Baby Blue". The harmonies are on point throughout, love the vocal layering on "Carry On Till Tomorrow". Great choice for a closer, and probably the least well-known of the bunch (and my personal favorite). All in all, this was a massive endeavor and what I'm sure was a labor of love. Your admiration and respect for the source material shines throughout the entire medley, and any true Badfinger fan will appreciate the meticulous effort and care that went into its production. Tremendous work here, from top to bottom!

Target Audience Appeal Fans of Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Soft Rock, Power Pop

Artist target suggestions Badfinger, The Beatles, Big Star, The Raspberries, Paul McCartney & Wings, Harry Nilsson, The Moody Blues, Cheap Trick, Elvis Costello, Todd Rundgren, 10cc, The dB's, Matthew Sweet, Jellyfish, Teenage Fanclub, The New Pornographers

About The Reviewer
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers.

Reviewer Comments As I sat down to write this, I found out about Joey Mallond's recent passing. Sad, and strange how things work like that sometimes. I think this is a fitting tribute, and they all would've been honored in this way.

Norma's Sweet Potato Pie

Reviewed by Steven Azami

Overall Impression Arizona-based husband and wife act Andrews Way serves up retro-inspired pop/rock with a friendly twist, on their release of "Norma's Sweet Potato Pie". This track features a relaxed tempo and a shuffling groove along with a charming arrangement that recalls the sweet sound of early rock'n'roll, with piano and electric guitar augmented by a bold and brassy horn section and tight vocal backing harmonies. Nostalgic lyrics fondly romanticize a bygone era of 24-hour roadside diner culture while exploring themes of comfort and familiarity, attributes that are reflected here in the style of music and production. Traditional rock'n'roll fans as well as contemporary indie rockers will appreciate the vintage influences and warmhearted songwriting found within "Norma's Sweet Potato Pie" by Andrews Way. Look for it now, available as a single on all major music streaming services.

Strongest Point(s) Outstanding production, great sounding mix. Excellent clarity and use of stereo width. Wonderful retro vibes and early rock'n'roll sound, filtered through a modern lens. Fantastic instrumentation and song structure, love the horns. Nice contrast between verse and chorus. Instrumental sections sound amazing, exceptional arranging and part writing. Backing vocals add a smooth texture and glossy venire. Lead vocal sounds amazing, solid performance and production there. Charming delivery, upper register sounds terrific. Nice job of layering, giving the top line a rich and full sound. Luminescent lyrics; you paint a beautiful scene of near-forgotten Americana here, and one can almost taste the pie. Tremendous track overall, and a wonderful job of warm and wistful songwriting that should appeal to anyone old enough to remember the comforts of a roadside diner. Stellar work on this one!

Target Audience Appeal Fans of Pop/Rock, Rock'n'Roll, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Adult Alternative

Artist target suggestions Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Nick Lowe, 10cc, Badfinger, Jackson Browne, Supertramp, M. Ward, Father John Misty, The High Llamas, The Magnetic Fields, The Decemberists

About The Reviewer
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers.

I'm So Sorry

Review by Andre Avanessian 1/22/25

Overall Impression "I’m So Sorry" is an atmospheric pop-electronic track that manages to effectively combine elements of dance, new wave, and pop to create an immersive sonic experience that manages to feel both modern and nostalgic. Carried by its compelling, forward-driving energy and rich layers of sound, the track boasts an undeniably compelling sense of musical character. The performances throughout are strong and engaging, with each element playing its part to enhance the overall impact of the track. The blend of genres, rich textures, and dynamic performances help ensure the track holds the listener's attention from start to finish, and thanks to Its subtle genre-bending moments, the track continues to feel fresh and unpredictable, keeping the listener intrigued while still honoring the influences that define its core sound.

Strongest Point(s) The atmospheric quality of the piece is immediately striking, built on a foundation of lush string and synth textures that create a sense of spaciousness, allowing the track to breathe and expand. These elements seamlessly blend with the driving percussive beats that drive the track forward, giving the track its rhythmic backbone while never overpowering the delicate atmosphere. The ethereal, understated vocal layers are a highlight, their soft presence weaving through the mix in a way that enhances the ambiance beautifully. This restraint in the vocal delivery adds to the track’s melancholic yet introspective vibe perfectly. Meanwhile, the vibrant arpeggiated synth sequences provide an electrifying edge, adding complexity and movement to the track’s evolving soundscape. The interplay between these synth sequences and the other atmospheric elements creates a compelling tension between the organic and the electronic, keeping the listener fully engaged as the track progresses. A particularly effective moment comes around 1:30, where the music briefly ventures into unexpected territory. The track introduces an ethnic percussive interlude, a subtle yet captivating shift in mood, which is then paired with a dreamlike funk guitar part. This unexpected fusion of styles is a welcome departure from the otherwise smooth, steady flow of the track, adding an extra layer of intrigue and surprise. The mix is also strong and it's apparent that a great deal of care has gone into the production to help ensure each distinct musical element has been treated with equal importance. This allows the distinct tone and character of each instrumental part to shine through and come together in a way that feels cohesive.

Target Audience Appeal "I'm So Sorry" is an absorbing piece of pop electronica and it's sure to resonate with fans of the genre.

Artist target suggestions Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, Paul Oakenfold, New Order, Scattle, Ashra, Washed Out, Howard Jones, Younger Brother, Moby, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Massive Attack

About The Reviewer Andre Avanessian is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.