When country music was first recorded back in the early 1920s, there was a pure musical energy which permeated through every song. Most of these songs were topical, and at times somewhat dark. The Wilders are attempting to bring these more traditional days back, and do a masterful job with Someone’s Got To Pay, which is a conceptual CD surrounding a murder ballad coming to life.

In November of 2005, multi-talented band member Phil Wade was selected as a jurist for a murder trial. While listening to the testimony as the trial began, a sense of familiarity overpowered him as if he had heard all of this before. It was just like an old time murder ballad.

Using this experience Wade wrote “Sittin’ On A Jury” for this new CD. The song is broken down into five distinctive segments, a Prologue, the Prosecution, the Defense, the Verdict, and the Epilogue. Each segment is preceded by a short sentimental piano instrumental to set the mood. The effect of all this modifies the cruel coldness of a murder trial, and its effect on everyone, just as Wade states at the end of each segment “Mr. Judge let me off this here jury. I can’t bear to hear another word.”

Woven within these segments are seven other songs which contribute to the story. The Wilders showcase their vast array of talents by mixing fast and slow tempos. Lead vocalist Ike Sheldon, who was actually trained as an opera singer, is very reminiscent of Robbie Fulks as he does an outstanding job. Fiddle player Betse Ellis, in addition to writing three stirring instrumentals for the CD, is very impressive as well. Wade contributes on acoustic guitar, mandolin, dobro, banjo, and harmonies. Nate Gawron plays base, and writes one of the best song on the CD.

Among the many highlights on the CD is the song penned by Gawron titled “My Final Plea.” Ellis opens this song beautifully on fiddle, and the energy builds as Sheldon drives the lyrics home. This song is dripping with the traditional passion that is lacking in much of the music today.

The tight harmonies shine on the upbeat “Happy That Way,” also written by Gawron. The opener “Wild Old Nory” written by Sheldon is a driving energetic piece that allows these artists to show that you can play with reckless abandon and remain in control of the sound and melody.

The title cut “Someone’s Got to Pay” written and sang by Sheldon, is a somber acoustic guitar piece that explains there are prices to pay for our actions. The vocals are astounding here, painting a picture of reality as it hits you.

The closing piece written by Sheldon titled “Goodbye (I’ve Seen It All)” is an appropriate ending to the journey. The song provides a stirring image of drifting away in the lost sunset of life’s bitter end. The best part of this song is its delivery is almost upbeat. A beautiful contradiction.

The Wilders display a variety of traditional talents here that are sorely lacking from much of todays music. Their energetic passion is quite exceptional.

-- by John Walker