CD Reviews

David Vandervelde

Waiting for the Sunrise | Secretly Canadian

By RYAN STEWART | July 29, 2008

3.0 Stars

As the calendar turns to August, fans of summer will look for ways to hang on to the season. To that end, let me suggest the music of David Vandervelde, who on his latest takes the familiar Byrds-meets-the-Band sound and bakes it in the sun till golden. Waiting for the Sunshine is heavy on Hammond organs, layered vocal harmonies, and acoustic guitars. And even in the few songs written in a minor key, Vandervelde’s nasal voice is charismatic and wistful enough to convey a longing that’s hopeful rather than dire. “There are breezes that might keep you warm, but I must let you go,” he sings on “California Breezes,” and you’d never know he’s telling someone off. That same song includes one of a handful of references to drug use (“the disease”) — might the low-key, laid-back vibe of the album be due to something other than the weather? Some of the slower songs, like “Hit the Road,” are a little too slow and sleepy for their own good, but Vandervelde has the skill to snap you out of your haze — the chord changes on “Cryin’ like the Rain” are unpredictable and effective. Perhaps in the winter this will all seem a lot less charming, but right now, it’s a nice soundtrack for a drive out to the coast or for porch sitting late in the evening.

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Topics: CD Reviews , David Vandervelde, David Vandervelde

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