Wilson's Reservoir

"you guys are possessed of considerable tallent and are officially on our radar" - Bloodshot Records

Wilson’s Reservoir have their roots in rural Georgia, where a seemingly insular existence of working with the land and home schooling for young leader Ben Wilson may suggest a stoic artistic traditionalism, this proves definitely not to be the case as they mix up alt-country with leftfield rock and pleasingly experimental moments.

Superb energetic opener ‘Bullets’ subtly transforms from sounding like your average alt-country song to some kids attempting to recreate ‘Lust for Life’ with dustbin lids in a Georgia barn, while wailing horns arrive as if late for someone else’s rehearsal. An unexpectedly wonderful beginning.

Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Ben Wilson has a strong, occasionally cracked, Ryan Adams vocal quality when dealing with matters of death and disappointment (the lovelorn sway of infidelity ballad ‘Blood’ could be one of his). Radiohead comparisons have also been bandied about, and while there’s the occasional vocal emoting and air of impending intensifying doom (‘Almost There’ ‘Red Flowers’) that have glimmers of the ‘OK Computer’s about them, it’s really the sporadic touches of existentialist ennui that do it, which more often than not redeem them self with bluffs (‘The Crook’s cries of”..there’s nothing wrong, there’s nothing wrong, there’s nothing wrong…..with your radio” for example).

Featuring a basic acoustic guitar, bass and drums set up at the core of the sonic template, the mood is mostly sparse but often fairly urgent in its best moments. In fact they are at their most attractive when they sound like they’ve been caught live and off-the-hoof, rugged and as natural as can be (‘Down Down Town’, ‘Bullets’ ‘Too Too Bad’). Horns and lap steel occasionally augment the sound and although it’s rooted deeply in the alt-country song writing roots of Adams, Oberst et al, it’s often pleasingly difficult to guess what will occur next. In the case of closer ‘Lemons In the Water’ its a jaunty trumpet and whistle led number Johnny Cash could have easily grappled).

Despite some signposted touchstones, Ben Wilson and his men conjure up some intriguing atmospheres on this promising debut which make it a pleasure to return to, and be surprised by, time and again.

Date review added: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Reviewer: Ian Fildes
Reviewers Rating: 7 out of 10 - Americana UK Review

Coming from Indiana and adopted by Ireland, Ben Wilson and his Wilson’s Reservoir are simply amazing.

It´s a crossing between Felice Brothers and Bruce Springsteen, with varied influences from Sigur Ross to Jeff Buckley. Ben offers 11 solid tracks of an incredible vital force.

He is one of those artists who passionately lives to sing. This passion is noticeable from the first chords of Bullets (that reminds me of “Gun Club”), following with the brass crazed “Almost There” and gets electrifying with “Too Too Bad” (completely mind-blowing).

This young lad strips the skin of his growing public with his guitar and his strong spirit. - Le Cri du Coyote

Northern Indiana Americana rockers Wilson’s Reservoir, in conjunction with several local businesses and The Goshen Theater, are planning an April 11 concert with all proceeds benefiting Goshen food pantry/social service organization The Window.

Joining the band for this event will be Wilkes-Barre, Pa., outfit Strand of Oaks.

Wilson’s Reservoir has a sound described as Wilco meets Bon Iver. Strand of Oaks features former Goshen resident Timothy Showalter on guitar and vocals.

“Imagine a less dispassionate Damien Jurado, a quieter Neil Young or a Bon Iver whose lyrics follow a discernible narrative thrust,” Interview magazine said of Showalter. Of Strand of Oaks’ Leave Ruin release, the magazine said “... it seems straightforward, but its complexities begin to unfold the third, fourth, and fifth times you hear it.”

The Goshen Theater is located at 216 S. Main St., Goshen. Showtime is 7 p.m. Admission to the event is $7, or $5 with four canned or dry goods food donations. For more information about the musicians, visit the Web sites www.myspace.com/wilsonsreservoir or www.myspace.com/strandofoaks. - The Goshen News