Watershed refuses to give up the dream

 

I'm always a fan of the underdog, particularly when it comes to musicians and all the moreso when it's good-hearted musicians who have been slugging away for 20 years with only a fleeting moment in the limelight. 

Say hey to Watershed, an Ohio band that's been chasing the dream for nearly 20 years. Outside of a short-lived cup of coffee with a major label in the early 1990s, Watershed has been playing dive bars and releasing solid power pop on little-known labels every few years.

I had never heard of the band until NPR highlighted a new book titled "Hitless Wonder: A Life in Minor League Rock and Roll" by band member Joe Oestreich. Hitless Wonder" profiles a band that like the more famous Anvil, just won't let their elusive dreams of fame and fortune go. 

The band's enthusiasm, tireless commitment and penchant for decent hooks has won me over. The band's latest album "Brick and Mortar" (stream it above) is a steady stream of good to sometimes great power pop. That's not to say there aren't warts. There are -- strained vocals here and spotty lyrics there -- but those are minor blemishes in what is a fun listen that I've had on regular rotation over the past three weeks.

"Brick And Mortar's" fierce energy and tight arrangements are a testament that good things can come when one never gives in.

Quick review: Cotton Mather's 'Kontiki: Deluxe Edition'

It's not often that a 15-year old album knocks me off my feet, but Cotton Mather has done it with a two-CD reissue of a power-pop classic that has everything you'd want: great lyrics, gorgeous vocals and musicianship, tight arrangements and enough risk-taking to keep you looking around the corner.  

"Kontiki: Deluxe Edition" is a marvelous treat for anyone who loves Beatlesque pop with a hint of the Byrds, Dylan and other great acts of the 1960s. I hate terms like Beatlesque, but in a nutshell, it's The Beatles whose influence is ever present. It's not just the echoes of John Lennon's voice but the craft in creating songs that are eminently hummable, varied and just good fun. 

The second bonus disc features a lot of demos, outtakes and alternate versions, and while it's not as polished and fulfilling as "Kontiki," it's a worthy journey into the layers and baby steps that ultimately led to one of my favorite albums in recent years. 

 Cotton Mather went belly-up years ago, but recently reformed for a few shows, and just released a one-off single called "I'll Be Gone" on SoundCloud. Here's hoping they dig a little deeper and regroup for an extended stay. In the meantime, I'll savor "Kontiki's" charms.

Gymkhana 6 another jaw-dropping display of driving

Ken Block is still falling short as a professional rally driver but he remains unmatched in the world of gymkaha. I've previously posted about Block's incredible touch behind the wheel but here's yet another example of jaw-dropping driving. 

To me, equally impressive are:

• The amazing camera shots. His sponsors listed at the end of the video -- and you'll want to watch past the first credits -- include GoPro, the company that provides inexpensive but impressive video cameras that can be attached in small places (like the inside of a suspension that takes a beating on the streets of San Francisco). 
• The absence of other people and cars in the shots. The logistics required to clear a major metropolitan city of people and traffic is remarkable. Must have taken a nice-sized check from the sponsors. 

 Any suggestions on where Block should head for Gymkhana 6?