Nick Waterhouse finds the right musical language

Nick Waterhouse sounds like trouble in the first few seconds of his debut album, the terrific “Time’s All Gone” (Innovative Leisure). The music sounds like a party in full swing, each instrument playing exactly what is needed, and no more. The sound of a stick hitting the crash cymbal feels absolutely right. Saxophone scrapes the low end of the mix, its brawn contrasting with the menthol cool of the female background singers. Waterhouse’s voice veers between a croon and a cry, and his guitar says its piece and gets out.

Greg Kot

October 4, 2012