Album Review: Willy Mason :: Wessex Scene Online

Album Review: Willy Mason

23rd February 2007
Charlotte Ward

Rate this story

Nov 07 - Single Review: Willy Mason - Gotta Keep Walkin'
Feb 07 - Album Review: The Shins
Feb 07 - Album Review: Cold War Kids
Feb 07 - Album Review: The Cooper Temple Clause
Feb 07 - Album Review: Mika

More by Charlotte Ward

May 07 - Spankolinists keep winning on the bounce
Feb 07 - Album Review: The Shins
Feb 07 - Trampolining bounce to glory
Feb 07 - Two Minute Hate....
Jan 07 - Two Minute Hate - Britney

Willy Mason: ‘If The Ocean Gets Rough’ - Having just finished listening to Willy Mason’s second album ‘If The Ocean Gets Rough’ I feel sure that even suffering from the worst insomnia in the world could not stop me going for a lovely long nap right now.

This is not a bad thing, the album’s not boring, not at all; it’s just peaceful. Willy Mason, like Damien Rice and Jack Johnson, was just one of the many middle of the road singers to burst onto the music scene more than two years ago – his most successful song to date being ‘Oxygen’.

Track one, ‘Gotta Keep Walking’, starts with a regimental sounding drum beat, followed closely by the customary acoustic guitar and then the unique vocals of Mason himself. It is these vocals that make Mason and his music stand out for me. Harsh, yet calm, they don’t compare to any other singer I can think of right now. Saying this, track two, ‘World That I Wanted’, is one of the best songs on the album – not for the voice but for the beautiful José González-style Spanish guitar which accompanies it.

You may think that with each of the songs exuding calm to a similar level that a 100 watt bulb exudes light, the album might become a bit samey and monotonous; not at all. Each track brings something new to the ears and keeps you interested right up until the last bar. Even as far in as track seven, ‘When The River Moves On’, Mason is delivering new angles to his music, with this particular one being country singer meets gospel preacher. Confused? You’ll have to buy it if you want to understand.

‘If The Ocean Gets Rough’ really is one album which I am finding difficult to criticise. It might not be for everyone – those who think that Fall Out Boy are the pinnacle of musical genius, for instance, should perhaps steer clear. But for anyone else willing to give their ears some light relief, I truly recommend having a listen to this. You won’t be disappointed I promise.