WATERS is Van Pierszalowsk, previously of folk-rock outfit Port O’Brien. An artist who upon embarking on a solo career has created one of the most surprising, contagious and enjoyable albums of this year.
As far as openers go ‘For The One’ will take some beating this year - an explosive and infectious slice of grunge-pop, equally raucous and tender in its delivery. It has a hook so sharp and a chorus so anthemic that Full Moon Fever-era Tom Petty would be a depressed and bitter man for not coming up with it himself.
The album continues with momentum, divided between pounding, chorus-heavy numbers and more tender moments that vary the pace and mood. This is another young act embracing the spirit of artists once embarrassing to the young, such as Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. It appears the middle ground between tender and earnest so often trodden by these artists is striking a chord. It does prove an interesting area to toil in - after all, what’s more difficult to make edgy and interesting than something considered safe and predictable? WATERS does indeed dip his toe into the safer lakes, but comes out with a glistening and refreshing sense of interest and individuality in his music.
His previous time spent amongst the acoustic folk-tinged Port O’Brien has resulted in a classic song structure that at times hints at his past, but for the most part this feels like a reinvigoration. For instance the extended outro to ‘O Holy Break Of Day’ is a glorious and invigorating onslaught that sees drums fire out at a frightening machine gun speed and wailing guitars that evoke what J Mascics emulated in Neil Young. Within the albums opening moments, it’s clear that Pierszalowsk is indeed swimming in fresh waters.
Perhaps it’s the genre’s unfair association with slackness that has made it so, but this album just feels so easy. It has that quality of teenagers in a garage unknowingly creating their purest synergy through sheer gusto and beautiful naivety. While this isn’t the case, the record's feel of it is thoroughly intoxicating.
‘Ones You’ve Had Before’ and closer ‘Micky Mantle’ are perhaps the album's slowest and most lamenting moments, Pierszalowsk’s vocals a constant battle between a strain and a whisper. The vocals possess a familiarity and warmth not so easily attainable by an artist on their debut.
In many senses, we are still in indie-rock territory, which, due to its recent inhabitant's fuck-ups and incompetencies, is a risky place to hang out, but WATERS reinstates what a fun, challenging and charming place it can be. Out In The Light has all the youthful spunk of early Weezer but coupled with the mature, refined nature of Neil Young. A glorious record - perhaps 2011’s greatest underdog.