There aren't many hippies in modern music. Maybe a few of the more obscure folk artists could be called hippies, but there hasn't been a major-label release from a group of them for many years.
Until now. Squint Entertainment is releasing a new album, entitled Everyone's Beautiful, from the insanely popular independent group Waterdeep. And if these guys aren't hippies, then nobody is. But don't dismiss their music as outdated protest songs--this music is at once classic and relevant, at once familiar and new.
The music's exactly what you'd expect from hippies in the 90's--acoustic guitars framed by electric splotches, and even an organ. The lyrics, though, are the real treasure of Everyone's Beautiful. They are, for the most part, story-songs, telling stories of sin, redemption, hopelessness, and hope. My personal favorite is "Sweet River Roll":
Homebound Henry, he's got a tumor in his head
He wakes up sweating every morning after dreaming he was dead
He used to think that life was boring, but now that's not the case
He turns to his wife in the evening
He says, "Honey, I'm afraid I'm gonna lose this race"...
Soaking wet Juliet, she lives in a well full of tears
Her husband left her for some bimbo after twenty-two years
And she's got to start all over, but she's just so terrified
She thinks it would've been so much easier if he would've just died
Waterdeep could easily be compared to the late Mark Heard, pointing out hope to the disenfranchised, while playing some kick-butt folk music at the same time. I predict a bright future ahead for them.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
7ball #27Reviewed by Tia StaufferAt first glance, Waterdeep's debut label release, Everyone's Beautiful, may seem simple. Despite expectations normally associated with big-time label debuts, the band refuses to portray anything flashy or showy here. Instead, their rock/worship/acoustic sound is merely an outlet for the group to pour out their souls. The lyrics paint a picture of real life - the hardships, the pain, the…ReAL Magazine 1999Reviewed by Jeremy KeillorPriorities are important, especially for young college students who have to balance school, work, and friendships; that's why I rushed out to purchase Everyone's Beautiful the day after it was released. This is Waterdeep's debut with Squint Entertainment after two independent projects that gave the band a substantial following. As a band, Waterdeep has been constantly changing, resulting in a…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by James StewartWaterdeep's "hippy" influences are well documented and lead to a quirky-pop sound mixing loose electric and acoustic guitars with lyrics that look to a future hope. As a result of its quirkiness, the album takes a while to warm to, but even after repeat listenings it sounds as if it could do with a little more focused energy. The cooks are obviously talented craftsmen and the mixture is…Similar sounding releases
2000ColdplayParachutes
1997Ben Folds FiveWhatever and Ever Amen
2002Matt PatrickChange
2004The Only ChildrenChange of Living
2004John FruscianteThe Will To Death
1997Phil Keaggy / Wes King / Scott DenteInvention
