The effects of WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE’s latest record, Song Of The Blackbird, are remarkably akin to that of an industrial-strength disinfectant. I feel rather cleansed after having sunk into the somberness of this record. Whitemore’s stylings are significantly juxtaposed to the majority of Pastepunk’s status quo of coverage. However, I would feel remiss in my duties as a member of this fine staff if I were to tuck this gem neatly and quietly into my personal collection without first exposing it to the Pastepunk readership. WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE probably has more in common with your grandfather’s bluegrass vinyl than your average Plan-It-X release. Start ooking elsewhere if minimalist songwriting doesn’t tickle your fancy. Whitmore has little use for that fandangled thing called technology. Utilizing mostly acoustic instruments (mostly banjo) Song Of The Blackbird plays out like a campfire opus. There’s a privileged feeling that often arises from listening to many of these songs as if the listener is personally invited to listen to Whitmore’s craft. The opening song, “Dry”, is a completely naked model of what’s to come. He treats your ears with skillful plucks of the banjo and soulful crooning. Whitmore’s voice is often misleading at times making him sound like he’s well into his sixties et he is but a ripe twenty-nine years young. Without drudging up old bluegrass references (which I am admittedly not qualified to do) I’d liken a lot of this music to a hybrid of RYAN ADAMS meets TOM WAITS. This isn’t exactly in the realm of the dreaded term “alt-country”, but Songs Of The Blackbird remains relevant while avoiding the pitfalls of trying to copy and paste styles from the past. Of the undiscovered singer/songwriter types that roam across America, WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE has created a record that politely dominates the majority of said types. With one foot in old-time musical heritage and the other in modern day sensibility, Song Of The Blackbird is a near-flawless creation.

Southern

www.southern.net/southern/band/WILEW/