PATRICK WATSON BLACKWIND FULL

That said, 2012 feels like Patrick Watson's year. I'm gushing, I know, but these really are geniuses at work the band has been nominated for a Juno Award and won a Polaris Prize in 2007, beating out the likes of Arcade Fire and Feist. The relaxed nature of a home recording lets the players dig deep into these songs' twists and turns songs within songs all fleshed out, brilliantly arranged and lyrically heartfelt. Recorded mostly in Watson's Montreal apartment, Adventures in Your Own Backyard (out May 1) is appropriately named.

His 2009 album Wooden Arms was on my Top, and I've been eagerly awaiting a new record ever since. How Watson isn't a household name outside of Montreal is a puzzle to me. You may want to listen to 'Into Giants' a few times it's one of the best songs I've heard this year. If you haven't yet noticed the bass holding it all together, skip to 'Into Giants' and spend time with that bass melody that's Mishka Stein. You won't really hear him kick in until the middle of the second song, 'Blackwind.' It's about the same time you hear fabulous tones from guitarist Simon Angell. Joining Watson on piano is Robbie Kuster, who's always there at just the right time with simplicity, elegance and power. Then there's the other Patrick Watson: That's the name of his incredibly talented band. He does the same thing with his sweet, high voice, always playing with timing and phrasing and dynamics - and always serving the song and the lyric. That slight hesitation between the notes slays me. Listen to the piano for me, it's the phrasing that does it.

PATRICK WATSON BLACKWIND FULL

Hear that melody? Every Watson song is full of melodies that unfold beautifully. Hit play on track one, and I'll give you a list. Patrick Watson's new album, Adventures in Your Own Backyard, comes out May 1.Īudio for this feature is no longer available.

Patrick watson blackwind