blinders on...

I got a sweet new cd in the mail today. If I was an official culture critic, I would write something like this:

Sean Watkins continues to shine as a solo artist in addition his perpetual success with band Nickel Creek. In his sophomore release, Blinders On, Watkins experiments with acoustic and electronic. Despite the small number of instruments, he creates an variety of melodies in the fifteen track album. Watkins primary tools are guitar, synth, drums, piano, looping, and fiddle [played by his ever so talented sister, sara watkins]. He makes an interesting transition into using his own strong but mellow voice into another instrument.

Though his first cd relied largely on his acoustic guitar skills, Watkins proves himself as much a folk-rock pioneer as fellow band member Chris Thile. The sounds he achieves are undeniably different, though not always pleasing to the ear. Watkins allows himself freedom from harmony, bringing in many elements of dissonance introduced in his band's latest cd. Though you're less likely to hum Blinders' songs, they are richer and contain layers of complexity unseen in 26 Miles.

Watkins lyrics are poetic, but continue to border on the sentimental and juvenile. While his music has progressed, the lyrics and subject matter are static. All his songs are personal conversations, his unspoken thoughts, or modern dreams. [does cryptic = poetry? beauty?] Maybe he just needs a little optimism for his love life?

No album is complete with out the little surprises: a twenty-second clip featuring Watkins as the composer for a string quartet is difficult to decipher and leaves me curious for more. The hidden tract at the end is the energetic bluegrass that launched Nickel Creek to stardom.

Best tracks: Summer's Coming, Run Away Girl, I Say Nothing, Blinders On

she came up and said hello
my name is kate and i liked your show
and there was nothing i could say
but thanks come again
she didn't know
that we got married in my head
there were christmases and dogs
and our kids hair was red
and as years flew by
i gazed into her eyes
and said goodbye
[hello...goodbye]