The Wishful Thinkers’  Hall of Fame

The Matchsellers are a mid-Western group based on the duo of Andrew Morris (guitar, vocals), and Julie Bates (fiddle, vocals). They are joined on this new project by Brian McCarty (mandolin, vocals), and Brandon Day (bass, vocals). The “Wishful Thinkers’ Hall Of Fame” is an imaginary collection of characters which the project purports to be the new crop of “inductees” to the “Hall.” 

The first thing one notices is the interesting CD packaging in the form of a 13-page pamphlet, rather than the usual CD cover. Each page describes the inductee and their respective song. Each page also has a QR code for the listener to peruse the internet for more information about the artists. There are stories of losers, lovers, malcontents, rounders, and rascals, and each page includes a neat drawing from a host of guest illustrators. Selections include “Richie Yoder: Minot Heartbreak,” “Madeleine Chocteau: Downtown,” “Bill Edwards: Time To Get A Straight Job,” “Cheryl Lilly: Victory Bound,” “Andrew Morris: The Hot Mess” (yes that Andrew), and “Andres Notmorris: Stinky Lunches” (Andrew’s alter ego). 

All songs are written by Morris with the exception of “Downtown” by Bates. All the band members contribute lead and harmony vocals and really nice musical arrangements. This is a very enjoyable project and the pamphlet provides some interesting reading and internet QR browsing.