Search - Walkabouts :: Watermarks: Selected Songs 1992-2002

A Fitting Tribute To One of America's Best Bands!

Kevin L. Maloney | 11/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rather than wax on about how the Walkabouts don't have the recognition they deserve here in the U.S., while they have an army of fans across the big puddle in continental Europe, I'll just stick to the music. WATERMARKS is a collection of the best stuff from this Seattle-based band starting at the beginning of the '90s up until present day taking in all their albums on Glitterhouse/Sub Pop Europe, Virgin, and Innerstate. Most of this material has never before been available on a U.S. domestic release, so WATERMARKS is great for longtime fans and for those just sticking their toes in the pond for the first time. Chris Eckman and Carla Torgerson write GREAT songs full of cinematic atmosphere and late-night, darkside of the street feeling. With roots in moody Americana (and never sharing the hard sound of their early 90s Seattle contemporaries), The Walkabouts musical palette has been widened over the years by their European experiences and associations. Many of these tracks were produced by Victor Van Vugt, most widely known for his work with Nick Cave and Beth Orton. Other songs are guided by Phill Brown, best known for his production work with Talk Talk and since the '60s as engineer for the cream of British rock. Over the years, The Walkabouts have collaborated with artists as diverse as Austrian popstar/multimedia artist/film director Andre Heller and the UK's Tindersticks. WATERMARKS collects the best of the many guest appearances on Walkabouts albums over the years and includes Brian Eno, REM's Peter Buck and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. Finally, this set is exquisitely packaged with a giant eight panel digipak and a large full-color booklet. Magnet Magazine columnist Jud Cost writes a complete band history to round out the extensive liner notes. This is one great sounding (and great looking) set that does justice to the long storied career of this wonderful band!!"

FINALLY AVAILABLE IN THE US!

Kevin L. Maloney | Ann Arbor, MI USA | 12/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those of us who have been collecting Walkabouts recordings since the early days on PopLlama and SubPop, know the true merit of this band. There is no group of musicians today that more closely represent the music of America.If you like your music with a little emotion, great songwriting and find yourself bored with what's playing on most radio stations these days, then buy this CD. If you like your music excellent no matter the genre this is for you. (Also seek out the Chris and Carla recordings too! They're all good.)Hopefully this collection will stimulate an interest in the Walks so that we can see them tour sometime in our own country. This is one of my top ten releases for 2002."