Amongst friends and acquaintances, I have a reputation for listening almost exclusively to music that none of them has ever come across. And amongst quite a few of them this has caused confusion, as they find it difficult to understand that anything of any quality can exist outside of the mainstream. This compilation is proof that they are wrong--a collection of eighteen tracks from nine artists of the committed, hard-working variety who elicit great reviews but never seem to break that important sales barrier and get the attention they deserve.
Underpinning all the songs on this release are the acoustic basics that these artists rely on. The stripped-back atmosphere of an acoustic song brings the artist to the fore, for good or bad. Fortunately, the lyrics here are well-written, making good use of phrasing and often fairly introspective (but not to the exclusion of the casual listener). That is not to say that all the tracks are entirely stripped down. On top of the acoustic guitars and vocals are arranged various accompaniments; electric guitars are often incorporated, and keyboards help add to the ambience of many a song.
Their independence means that these artists are free in their songwriting. There are obvious references to faith-related concerns in many lyrics, and use of Christian imagery is found in a number of songs, but there is no ministry or evangelical agenda to be found.
It is difficult to pick standout tracks, as the flow here is unusually good for a compilation album. John Austin is every inch the established artist, as the production of his tracks shows, and Harrod and Funck drew me in with their light feel and tight harmonies -- definitely a pair I'll be watching. As a Victoria Williams fan, her appearance on Robert Deeble's first track, "Rock a Bye," was a nice addition. Deeble is currently touring with Vigilantes of Love, and by the sound of these tracks he's sure to appeal to many of their fans.
As much as it flows, Downstream is not totally consistent, and there are a couple of tracks where the songwriting is not quite as complete, but those tracks are rare, and still strong when compared with most music.
Overall, this album suggests that WeatherVane Music will be a fine addition to the indie scene, supporting some excellent artists. If songwriting skill and hard work were the only gauges of success, these artists would be right up the top. Unfortunately, they still need to stumble across that 'big break.' In the meantime, they're certainly worth a listen, and this compilation's a great introduction to them.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerIf you want to know where all the good underground acoustic music is...here you go. WeatherVane Music is a small, humble label dedicated to digging up the best folk, folk-rock, pop, country, and alternative artists to ever turn down their amps and unplug their guitars. I'm not usually a fan of such mellow fare, but the songs on this compilation are well-crafted enough to catch my attention. These…
