Brooklyn has become such a staple when it comes to indie music that I feel as though there isn't a sound that could come out of there that would shock me. However instrumentalist and songwriter Nick Watt did manage to rattle me a bit with his album Elephant Wondering. I can say with confidence I have never heard anything quite like this. He takes all sorts of rural influenced genres like blues, Americana, and even honky tonk and redefines them with modern alt and indie rock.
"Beating Heart" is the opening track and it's a moody experimentation that almost defies explanation. There are interludes in this songs that are very interesting and almost fantasy like before he pulls you back down to reality. The juxtaposition is well executed and it was here that I realized I need to ditch any expectations I had when listening to this album and just let Watt do his thing. I had no way of seeing what was coming with the second track "Elephant Wondering." This is a highly ironic, honky tonk humdinger with a dizzying piano performance at its base. The song expands out into a head bobbing indie tune that I can get into. It's a colorful and unforeseen gem. I also appreciate that constant use of the backup vocals which he did record with friends. He gets great mileage out of them. I like his ability to surprise me. Of all the tracks on this album, "Grandma Song" possesses my favorite vocal performance. With the other two songs his delivery is much blunt and aggressive. Here he tones all of that down and tells a lovely narrative that managed to charm me. Musically the song is lovely in a very Americana way. Elaborate and delicate guitar riffs unfurl underneath the ballad like lyrics. This song was assembled with a great deal of care and sentiment - might be my favorite. The fourth track is "Where They May." Again we're getting a type of ballad narrative here. It's not really one to jam to, but it is rife with experimentation. It's sort of in an emo honky tonk space. Delivered as a cautionary tale it is not my favorite track mainly because it's more a theatrical piece that I think I would want to see live. The song has stage presence. Closing out the album is "Heather (Talk About The Weather)" and it's a fascinating bluesy, Americana ballad set in a modern world. It speaks to a mundane day at work in a cubicle farm like scenario. It's highly amusing for anyone who has ever worked in a florescent bulb lit work environment that you hate. This is a great album for anyone who looks at their music collection and goes, "there is nothing I want to listen to." If you're someone who is bored with the current state of affairs when it comes to their playlists, you should really give Wondering Elephant a spin. It's cooky and strange, but also fresh and original.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Critique/insightWe are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.
Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook
Archives
May 2024
|