Waters - Out In The Light (2011)

While Port O’Brien was great, especially the boisterous “I Woke Up Today” and its equally playful video, I love Van Pierszalowski’s new band, Waters even more. It’s quickly becoming one of my most played albums this summer. Decidedly more indie rock than folk, Waters is also louder and feels more emotionally raw. “For The One” (mp3) kicks off the album with a blur of catchy fuzz that just begs to be turned up, as if the guitar was playing through blow out amps. Two of my other favorites on the album similarly embrace the rock n’ roll spirit — “Back To You” is driven by thumping drums and vocals escalating at the chorus, while “Take Me Out To The Coast” incorporates remnants of his old band’s communal sing alongs. However, not all of the album is pushed into the red, it's actually quite balanced. The quiet strumming on “Mickey Mantel” highlights a wonderful yearning chorus. If only all my favorite bands came back this strong after breaking up.

Waters plays at the Branx on Thursday with Mister Heavenly.

WATERS - For The One by cityslang

Thursday's Epic Set of Concerts

Every once and a while the concert gods like to fuck with me by having a month's worth of awesome shows all on one night. Usually, that means I have to make some tough decisions -- do I go with the old favorites, the new buzz bands I'm digging, or a rock n' roll spectacle?

At first glance, this Thursday appears to be just that type of night. Longtime favorites Hillstomp and the Builders & the Butchers, are playing at the Deschutes Street Fare, along with the new and fantastic Lost Lander. Then on the other side of the river, Waters, another new favorite, are opening for Mister Heavenly at Branx, while the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion play at the Wonder Ballroom.

On this night, the concert gods seem to be feeling particularly mischievous -- staggering the set times just enough to entertain the possibility that I could pull of all three events in one night. Think of it as prep for the nightly MusicFestNW hustle. Either way, there is no way I missing the Street Fare, especially since the $10 entry fee covers my first beer. So the question becomes, can I make catch Waters set and still make it up to the Wonder to see the veteran showmen?

awmercy's Recent PopWreckoning Posts

These posts aren't quick, so I've included a one line summary.

M. Ward & Port O'Brien @ Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR
A dark and intimate show.

Fujiya & Mijagi, Pop Levi & Project Jenny Project Jan @ Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
A night of sweet dance moves.

Interview with Blind Pilot's Ryan Dobrowski
A couple quick questions for a local favorite.

Fujiya & Miyagi @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
Chill music for a hip lounge.

Murder City Devils @ Roseland Theater, Portland, OR
A hot and sweaty return to Portland.

Or, The Whale - Light Poles and Pines (2007/2009)

It is well documented that I appreciate things like pedal (slide) guitar, folk-country influences, and the contrast between raspy, strained male vocals and harmonic, less abrasive female vocals. Or, The Whale brings all of the aforementioned together, with a particular emphasis on the well-placed pedal guitar. This San Francisco based group is often paired with The Devil Makes Three out of Santa Cruz, but while Devil Makes Three takes a drumless three person ragtime-punkish approach (which is excellent), Or, The Whale fills out their indie folk-country sound with seven musicians and a multitude of vocalists. I understand that they are one hell of a live tandem, and both are on my must see list.

Or, The Whale's music is not quite as quirky as their name. "Call and Response" is the obvious standout on Light Poles and Pines, originally released in 2007, and certainly the most accessible for people who are not particularly interested in "that country sound." An "I listen to everything except country" attitude should not deter you from appreciating this cut, because its hooks are universal and undeniable. Pedal guitar, a sing-along chorus, and conspicuous enthusiasm all come together over toe-tapping snare and symbols, which makes for a track that has a similar feeling to (not duplicates) a quickcrit favorite: "I Woke Up Today" by Port O'Brien. In contrast, songs like "Rope Don't Break" and "Threads" have a down-home, back-porch kinda feel that permeate with country influence and are also fantastic.

Light Poles and Pines may not be for everyone; however, the music and lyrics are excellent and provide a West Coast take on the typically Sounthern sounds.


Call and Response - Or, the Whale - Or, the Whale

Port O’Brien @ Café Du Nord

It was indie folk rock night at Café Du Nord last night and the building was a shakin’. It wasn’t so long ago that I wrote this album review in anticipation for this show. Port O’Brien’s live performance was touted as a must see, and I must say, the entire show exceeded the hype. Port O’Brien played in front of friends & family with high energy and enthusiasm as expected, and plenty of team vocals and crowd participation. They certainly do put on an entertaining live show, but with lead sing Van Pierszalowski nearly out of voice, I imagine they could go bigger.

The Builders and The Butchers of Portland were surprisingly awesome… surprisingly, because I knew nothing about them or their music until earlier this week. All night I couldn’t think of whom they reminded me of, and then this morning it hit me—The Decemberists! I then proceeded to find out, via other reviews, that I am not the first to draw this comparison. They folk rocked it up something serious with an abundance of yelling, drum pounding (they have two “percussionists”—see picture—who hammer away on everything within reach, including washboards), mandolin & banjo plucking, and one of the most distinctive lead singer voices I’ve ever heard. This was my first encounter with The Builders and The Butchers, and it certainly won’t be my last. I highly recommend checking them out. Note: The red lighting made good concert photos virtually impossible.

The Old-Fashioned Way had a lead singer with a deep baritone that was similar to Matt Barninger of The National. I remember enjoying their set, but after The Builders and The Butchers rambunctiously impressive set I can’t remember other specifics. I’ll have to check ‘em out again.

Port O'Brien - All We Could Do Was Sing (2008)

For the past year or so I have had people of all different musical tastes recommend this Oakland based band's live show. So, when their current tour slated them to rock Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco in support of their recently released album, I figured now was as good a time as any to dip my ears into the musical waters of Port O'Brien (I think that line just put me as the front-runner for "Cheesiest Line of the Year" award).

Anyway, the opening beats of "I Woke Up Today" made me want to do a drunken sailor jig in deck shoes aboard a storm ravaged fishing vessel... And when the gang-bang vocals kicked in (where the whole band sings simultaneously) I was sold. In my opinion, comparisons to many and mighty indie darlings are thrown about too easily for All We Could Do Was Sing. Sure there are moments when Port O'Brien sounds like other bands, but their music—layered, girl/guy vocals, occasional string arrangements, strummy guitar, nautical themes, and intimate, mellow, folky acoustic pieces—is far too diverse for a closely paralleled comparison. I have listened to this album HARD the last few weeks, and it continues to impress—both the up-tempo and mellow tracks, equally.

Check out: "I Woke Up Today," "Close The Lid," "Stuck On A Boat" and this video that looks like something awmercy & ancientindianwizard would collaborate on...