(photo: mysapce.com)
And then there was one.
Wooden Arms may be the last in my alphabetical examination of this year’s Polaris nomination, but the second LP from Polaris-winner Patrick Watson is certainly not the last one I would have ever considered for this year’s prize. The first time I heard Wooden Arms I was struck at just how well-adorned Watson and co.’s arrangements were, and the vibrancy and uniqueness the foley sound effects used throughout brought to the songs. In going back and listening to it now, I’ve been reminded at how warm and intimate Patrick Watson sound on this album; late night cozy blanket music.
The thing is, I really haven’t cozied up with Wooden Arms since I first heard it. As was/is the case with Close To Paradise, Patrick Watson albums (for me at least) are best enjoyed sparingly and with a sense of purpose. I choose to listen to the album, because it strikes my mood and fancy; if any given track comes up on shuffle mode I’m more likely to skip past it then sit and enjoy it.
What does that say about Patrick Watson and I? A) I think they’re a great “albums band” and are best enjoyed in the context of a whole record; B) I may be a fan of their work, but they’re not a band I’m intimately acquainted with (I couldn’t name any other members than the one the band is named after); C) Wooden Arms didn’t make my long or shortlist selections because I didn’t get the emotional attachment I did to the other records (see this week’s earlier post on Chad VanGaalen for more of the same). D) I’m going to have to basically eat my words here, and say that this is not the album I would endorse to win this year’s prize.
It’s not because they’ve already won, or anything else akin to a full-blown backlash. I still stand behind the premise that it’s a gorgeous album and one I enjoy listening to. But art, as I’ve pleaded the case before, is more than just being beautiful and being unique. Art is about saying something–whether it’s political like K’Naan, or personal like Metric–that connects with the person (or persons) listening and experiencing it. We’re all individuals, and we all approach the same LP or song from different perspectives, so our responses are going to be as unique as our DNA. Wooden Arms missed the mark for me on an emotional level, which is a shame because I like the album so much. I gave it a real chance to, but maybe in time, I will grow into it and make that connection. Unfortunately we don’t hand out these kind of awards two or three years after release. Could you imagine if we did, though?
MP3: Patrick Watson “Beijing”
Facebook: Patrick Watson
Myspace: Patrick Watson
Twitter: Patrick Watson
Buy: Patrick Watson Wooden Arms
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Great to hear your take on them! I hadn’t heard much about Patrick Watson until recently when Bob Boilen from NPR gave a glowing review of them during CMJ. Since you’re my de facto blog for Canadian music, I thought I would check out what you thought of them. It seems like you like them but aren’t necessarily smitten with their latest output. Which album would give the best introduction would you say?
Comment by Bryant 12.14.09 @ 1:22 amLeave a comment
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