Waiting For The Sunrise

David Vandervelde dropped out of the sky in early 2007 with the well-received indie classic The Moonstation House Band. That album more than lived up to its title’s potential, providing a healthy slab of cosmic, primal rock boogie. While this debut was the product of Vandervelde being isolated in the studio, being allowed to follow his every musical whim, Waiting For The Sunrise is a product of a new sort of isolation. After relocating from Chicago to Brooklyn, Vandervelde struggled to find his place in the new musical community. This seclusion led to most of the album being composed in his apartment on an acoustic guitar.

Although Waiting for the Sunrise is a decidedly more rootsy effort, Vandervelde has lost none of the exotic swagger that colored his debut. But this time around the savage is mixed with the sublime in a way that is reminiscent of the classic, sentimental pop of the 70’s. The production emboldens the AM radio vibe that prevails throughout the album, sliding effortlessly between hazy rock shuffles and ballads for wood paneled basements. On this sophomore effort Vandervelde has put his best foot forward with a focused set of songs that recall classic themes of journey and infinity. Rarely has a sun-drenched folk-rock album sounded this confident.

For the first time, members of his band contributed to the recording sessions and the finished album features a song co-written by ex-Wilco member Jay Bennett. The finished product is the result of Vandervelde having extended himself both musically and emotionally, looking both deeply inward and outward for inspiration.