Waiting for the Sunrise

iTunes Review

David Vandervelde’s self-produced solo outing revealed a talented young artist experimenting and searching for his own voice. He’s a step closer to finding it here. Trading in his Marc Bolan warble for a slightly smoother tone, Vandervelde’s singing feels warm and natural, his songwriting and arrangements more organic and easily flowing. While the standout  “California Breezes” was co-written with ex-Wilco member Jay Bennett, the tone is more reminiscent of vintage Jayhawks, with glistening harmonies, electric piano and a slightly countrified guitar. That early, alt-country sound also carries stellar tracks like “Old Turns” and “Someone Like You,” while the densely layered, distorted guitars on the funereal “Hit the Road” and “Knowledge of Evil” are unique Vandervelde creations, mixing the heavy instrumentation with his airy vocals to good effect. Classic ‘70s song structures abound: “Cryin’ Like the Rain” opens with a weary pedal steel guitar and Vandervelde’s reedy falsetto, but it soon morphs into a meatier track reminiscent of Alex Chilton and Big Star, and a faint whiff of the Beatles and Neil Young is tangible throughout the set. Overall it’s an emotional and adventurous outing quite worthy of admiration.