Sean Watkins “Blinders On” (Sugar Hill Records 2006)

Nickel Creekers Tries Too Hard

He’s talented, successful, a pretty boy and no doubt a clever one - but this latest album from Sean Watkins is quite painful. Sean’s the guitar player from Nickel Creek, and this is his third, and seemingly most rebellious, solo album. It’s something of a sonic experiment, full of nods to every band he’s ever heard, and even squishes in a - thankfully humble, but muddy sounding - 20 second soundbite from “my string quartet”. This is why school music rooms get locked up at night – to stop sixth formers and their groovy music teacher heading back in to try something really different, man. Watkin’s voice is reedy and not up to much, and so despite the at times impressive musicianship (from the likes of Glen Kotche), the album just hurts. There’s such a thing as too much experimentation.

Date review added:  Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Reviewer:  L M Pettinger
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Related web link:  label's website