Album Review — Waiting For Monday

Waiting For Monday — S/T

In this current age of the Supergroup, it is pretty rare to hear a new release from an actual new band. But this week’s featured album is by a brand new band called Waiting For Monday. The band features Rudy Cardenas (vocals), who was an American Idol Finalist, and guitarist/vocalist August Zadra, who is best known for playing in Dennis DeYoung’s band.

The best way I can describe the sound of this band is a cross between early Perry era Journey and Vital Signs era Survivor. Cardenas’ voice reminds me of Jimi Jamison with a heavy Steve Perry style of singing. He doesn’t have the pipes of Perry (who does), but you can tell he has been influenced by the Journey legend.

The album jumpstarts with “Until The Dawn”, which has a very 80s Survivor rock feel to it. It’s a big arena rocker with a huge chorus. Lots of guitars with those keyboard accents throughout the track.

“End of a Dream” starts with a short classical guitar intro that leads into a late 70s Journey-sounding verse. Another big chorus with keyboard accents and some nice guitar work from Zadra.

“Shattered Lives” has a very pre-Escape Journey sound to it, both in the style and construction of the song as well as the Perry-like inflections throughout the track. Rarely have I heard a band that emulates pre-Escape Journey and it’s a welcome tribute. Very impressive.

“Found You Now” goes back to 80s Survivor, reminding me of “The Search Is Over”. It’s a decent track, although I like the acoustic version bonus track of the song better.

Back to the rockin’ with “Right In Front Of You”. I don’t have the liner notes, but I’m guessing this is Zadra on vocals. He’s got more of a Tommy Shaw voice, a little higher and cleaner than Cardenas. A really strong track, especially in the pre-chorus where Cardenas and Zadra harmonize.

“Must Have Been” slows it back down again. It’s a decent track that I probably would have spaced a little further away from the other ballad.

“Pick Her Lies” is another cool Journey/Survivor sounding mid-tempo track with a big chorus.

“Inside Your Head” veers from the Journey/Survivor sound but in a very good way. It’s a more bluesy rocker that’s a nice break from what we’ve been hearing. I would have a switched the track order with “Must Have Been”.

“Make It Better” is back to that 80s Survivor sound. I was a huge Jimi Jamison fan so it’s very cool to hear someone with a similar voice and style. Here’s to hoping that Cardenas and Jim Peterik get together at some point. This is a great track that brings me back to Survivor’s peak.

Back to some late 70s Journey with “Love You Forever”. Think “Too Late” and you are close. Again, there’s no duplicating Steve Perry, but I appreciate the band’s homage to the early Perry days.

“One More Round” closes out the record with a bang. This one almost has an early Survivor sound to it. Some really good guitar work and Cardenas shows off his rock chops. Great way to end the regular version of the record.

I love discovering new bands and Waiting For Monday is one of the better new bands I’ve heard in a long time. It’s hard to predict what will happen with bands these days, but I can only hope we hear more from this band and maybe even see them tour. If you like the early Perry stuff or the Jamison Survivor era, I think you will really enjoy this record.

90 out of 100

Track Listing

1 Until The Dawn *
2 End Of A Dream *
3 Shattered Lives *
4 Found You Now
5 Right In Front Of You *
6 Must Have Been
7 Pick Her Lies
8 Inside Your Head
9 Make It Better *
10 Love You Forever *
11 One More Round

*Best Songs