After producing a critically successful album, more of the public notices the skills that the producer has in the music industry, whether it is what they produce next or if they make some sort of an album themselves, with a band or solo. After the success of “Pure Comedy,” the latest from Father John Misty, all eyes were on Jonathan Wilson to see what he would do next.
“Rare Birds,” Jonathan Wilson’s third solo work, brings his impressive production and instrumentation skills to the forefront, with the album consisting of psychedelic and atmospheric jams mostly over five minutes long. It’s really too bad that the songs themselves were not memorable.
While listening to the album, it was hard not to compare it to The War on Drugs’ fantastic album “A Deeper Understanding.” Wilson took the same approach, with impressive instrumentation and lengthy songs. But, Wilson did not have the same, impactful lyrics that Adam Granduciel and the rest of The War on Drugs brought to the table.
Some songs off of “Rare Birds” could have been B-sides off of “A Deeper Understanding.” Take “Hard to Get Over” for instance. Wilson takes this song and builds up the instrumentation in a very impressive way. But, once the vocals came in, it was hard to not think of other bands that sound exactly like him.
The War on Drugs was not the only band that this album emitted. Wilson seemed to take elements from other artists he produced, including the great Conor Oberst, Dawes and Chris Robinson of Black Crowes fame.
The only time where I heard a smidge of Wilson’s artistry was in the song “Hi Ho the Righteous.” Once this song came on in the last quarter of the album, it took a complete 180, taking a more country and Americana approach but continuing the psychedelic and electronic roots that were there throughout the album. The instrumentation, as well as a perfectly placed steel guitar, was impressive.
While I love this kind of music, I wish Wilson brought a bit more of his artistry and originality to this album. Even with backing vocals from Lana Del Rey, Lucius and Josh Tillman himself, this album will be lost in the amount of original content that has already been produced in this short year. With all his producing background, Wilson has potential to be a fantastic artist but he has to find his own original voice first.
Overall grade: C+
Downloadable Songs: Over The Midnight, Hi Ho the Righteous.
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