Review by Daniel Deprè
“The Whole Way Home” is an incredibly stripped-down song that thrives in its minimalistic nature. Bolstered by a catchy groove, the vocals are the main focus here and they are more than up to the task. Much like the lyrics' subject matter, “The Whole Way Home” is simple and to the point, but also so sweet and relatable. Plucking guitars and grooving bass and drum create enough forward momentum for this song to maintain its energy level. The vocals are fun to sing along to and won’t take long to get stuck in your head.
The lyrics of “The Whole Way Home” are written about the classic case of “boy meets girl and falls in love”. The lyrics remind me of me being in high school, yet even as an adult, they are still very relatable. Zach Bellas’ writing expresses poetically how the young boy is very intimidated by the girl, yet he can’t stop thinking about her.
“Am I the only one you’re calling, tonight’s my chance it’s only me and you, everybody told me you’re too cool”.
The phrasing of the lyrics is also very satisfying and well-paced.
“It’s hard to hit a moving target, but this time I think I got it, lie awake my only thought is you, lie awake this stories nothing new.”
The arrangement speaks to “The Whole Way Home’s” strength as it isn’t overstuffed and trying to be in your face. The electric guitar and bass double on the song’s main hook, while drums keep a simple beat. The drums can take up so much space in the mix due to the small arrangement and it’s so wonderful being able to hear every part of the drum as it surrounds the vocals. Zach Bellas vocals are smooth and serene, further enhanced by the vocal harmonies which sparingly pop up. “The Whole Way Home” gives the vocals a short break with a melodic but restrained guitar solo. In a way Zach Bellas continues singing here, just switches his voice to the guitar. The transition is smooth and provides some variety and additional coloring for the song’s atmosphere. “The Whole Way Home” is a catchy and relatable song about young love and all its encompassing stress.
Stream on Spotify
About Zach Bellas
Zach Bellas is a three-piece rock band currently based in Baltimore, Maryland, and named after its frontman - American musician, producer, and founder of the independent recording label SMB Records. Zach Bellas features Tom McAteer on drums, Kyle Hadley on bass and backing vocals & Zach Bellas on guitar and vocals. Since beginning his professional music career in 2008, Bellas has performed over 1,000 shows all across the USA and internationally, including touring in support of great bands such as Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, and Flogging Molly. He has also produced and released seven full-length albums, an EP, and several singles through his label, including some key collaborations with Hall of Famer Junior Marvin from Bob Marley and The Wailers, Jean-Paul Gaster from Clutch, and legendary producer Don Zientara.
