Album Review: Kurt Vile Marries Old And New With “Wakin On A Pretty Daze”

By: Luke Ottenhof –

There is an unpleasant pattern of mediocrity when it comes to noted musicians springing into the solo spotlight. The term “creative license” can be taken far beyond what’s pleasant listening. It’s kind of like a teen’s curfew being loosened by an hour, so he takes an extra two on top of that; the old “give ‘em an inch, and they’ll take a mile” mentality.

Luckily for us, indie rock’s favourite child Kurt Vile bucks the trend, and provides a tantalizing, soulful record with his latest, Wakin On A Pretty Daze.

The weathered Philadelphia frontman, founding member of celebrated band The War On Drugs, has successfully married old and new on the album, with remarkably little filler.

The opening “Wakin On A Pretty Day” is a hazy, meandering mosey through the park with bleary eyes and smokes. Clocking in just shy of 10 minutes, it’s a lengthy one, particularly given that it’s the kick-off to the album. But what Vile succeeds at with the tune is equivocal to flawless ambience; he sets a cool-headed, sweetened mood that rarely escapes the album.

What follows is a backhand to the carefree, if longwinded intro. “KV Crimes” revs up with a crisp electric guitar crunch and matching cowbell clink, and no one could blame you for asking, “Wait, is this from Sticky Fingers or Exile on Main St.?”

On the other end of the spectrum, “Never Run Away” is an understated gem. With Pixies-esque riffing and gentle rhythms, it steals the spotlight for the first-half of the album.

It’s redundant to call Vile a cheap sum of his parts; equals dashes of Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Steve Miller Band. In fact, it’s flat out ignorant of the stellar homage that Vile pays them on Wakin On A Pretty Daze.

The patchwork of Americana and pop music from the past half-century that’s embedded in Wakin is formidable at least, and what’s most impressive is how effortless it all sounds. It’s a key part of the shtick to appear careless and nonchalant, and Vile pulls it off with a flare that would make Kurt Cobain blush. His soft, dream-like crooning, soaked with wet reverb and ethereal echoes, can’t help but flesh out an easy-going, romantically morose guitar slinger.

With four of the 11 songs ticking upwards of seven minutes, it’s a wonder none of it feels boring or drawn out. Vile’s ability to keep each second as fresh and hip as the first is mesmerizing. Not one track feels bloated or self-absorbed, and with more than a few pushing the 10-minute mark, that’s damn brilliant.

Wakin On A Pretty Daze has a solemn beauty about it. Stretching up and out from his previous work, Kurt Vile has produced a punchy, delightful listen with his latest work. And hell if he doesn’t have a time machine. The sounds that span from ’65 to present day can all be found scattered and hidden through the record, little gems awaiting the eager ear.

“And yet there was a time in my life when they thought I was all talk,” sings the cathartic Vile. Not anymore.

Essential Tracks: “Wakin On A Pretty Day,” “KV Crimes,” and “Never Run Away.”