After getting the chance to see California-bred folk-pop trio Nickel Creek last November at the Nokia Times Square in New York City, it was plain to see that mandolinist and lead vocalist Chris Thile was far and away the visual center of the band. With his boyish good looks (not too far removed from British actor Jude Law) and his affable stage presence, much attention was easily placed on him.
Now, it’s time for one of those other kids to take center stage. Acoustic guitarist Sean Watkins, though 1/3 of Nickel Creek – and an essential part at that – seemed to prefer to play his instrument, enjoy the music and enjoy the moment while his band-mate won hearts. On his third solo release, Blinders On, Watkins’ easily shows he’s as good a front row figure as anybody.
First of all, for any Nickel Creek fans out there let me warn you, Blinders On in many ways is NOT Nickel Creek. Watkins’ lets you know that right off the bat with his loopy little keyboard intro to “Summer’s Coming,” which moves into a cool little head bobbing beat. Other cool beats in “Starve them to Death,” “Not that Bad/Blinders On” and the funky instrumental “Happy New Year” show the guitarist/singer’s ability to command a more acoustic pop rock audience and not remain exclusively in his main band’s increasingly large and formidable shadow.
But, that doesn’t mean he’s running away from it. On the other hand, tracks like “No Lighted Windows” could very comfortably fit on Why Should the Fire Die? (especially since Creek band-mate and sis Sara Watkins brings her fiddle out for several tracks here).
Lyrically, Watkins’ is of the “heart on his sleeve” variety. Not always a pitch perfect singer, his words feel so damn honest, taking personal incidents and transforming them into heartfelt poems or small, musical stories that find universal connection with the listener – “Run Away Girl,” my runaway favorite, offers lyrics that hit just a little too close to home.
“I’ve tried to hide you from my mind/ and make myself forget/ please don’t try to stay/ we’ll only make what’s clean a mess”
On rare occasions, a band comes around that touches you in their chosen genre. Rarer still, a band comes around whose individual artists can break from their chosen genre and do the same thing.
Sean Watkins’ has accomplished just that.
