Patrick Watson

Them there Canadians can be an unassuming lot (not that I'm a fan of generalization, but you know.). They get quite passionate about Ice Hockey, Mounties, snow mobiles and Niagara Falls (Their side at least) but are not necessarily the most vivacious people in the world. This may not be the best of personality traits for an Olympic squad (7 out of 10 Canadians were, apparently, satisfied with 1 gold medal from the London games), however as far as music is concerned it seems, in the recent past at least, that artistic quality and creativity has flourished in just such an environment where merely the taking part seems to have had a very positive knock on effect.

Flowing from this seemingly unstoppable rich vein of form comes the new album from Patrick Watson. 'Adventures In Your Own Back Yard' is Patrick Watson's 4th studio album (as a band) and follows up 2009's 'Wooden Arms' and their Polaris (think Mercury's) award winning 2006 release 'Close To Paradise'.

Should you be unfamiliar with Patrick's work then you are about to discover a very considered, at times beautiful, finely balanced and sometimes surprisingly individual artist that makes intriguing and well-crafted songs. Patrick Watson's music and style meet at a confluence of much revered artists that include Antony Heggerty, Jeff Buckley and Devendra Banhart which provides for a magical combination when it works well.

Continue reading: Patrick Watson - Adventures In Your Own Back Yard Album Review

An album review of Wooden Arms by Patrick Watson

Continue reading: Patrick Watson, Wooden Arms Album Review

Patrick Watson
Close to Paradise
Album Review

Close to Paradise is the second L.P. from the Canadian band Patrick Watson, and is a bold step in a new direction.

While the album is arguably lacking in the way of memorable tunes, it is a tour-de-force of atmospheric rock, with singer (you guessed it) Patrick Watson sending chills down the spine with a voice eerily similar to that of the legendary Jeff Buckley.

'Daydreamer' is a highlight, combining the main elements of the record to compelling effects; a chamber piano and various electro glitches and whooshes fading in and out of the mix. 'The Storm' is also a triumph, a smoky, barroom confessional with a wailing blues guitar. Most impressive though, is arguably the stately 'Man Under The Sea', a unique track that Radiohead themselves would be proud to put their names to.

This is a record with very few weak areas, and is never anything les than compelling, from the warm melodies of the eponymous opener, to the slow-building glory of 'Bright Shiny Lights' which evokes the spirit of Otis Redding with its shimmering keyboard line.

Continue reading: Patrick Watson, Close to Paradise Album Review

Patrick Watson
Luscious Life
Single Review

Continue reading: Patrick Watson, Luscious Life Single Review