Willy Mason
If the Ocean Gets Rough
Release Date: March 20, 2007
Label: Astralwerks

For a 22 year-old whose peers are just now graduating college, starting a new job, buying a first house and discovering a first real love, Willy Mason is one old soul worth knowing about.

Writing rambling bluegrass songs and knowing acoustic protest songs puts you on a collision course for insurmountable Dylan references, especially at such a young age. But when Radiohead handpicked Mason for their last tour, 80 percent of the music world spent 4 minutes streaming his music online to check out the buzz.

But then we went right back to the Dylan and Mason Jennings comparisons, especially when previewing his new LP, If the Ocean Gets Rough. Sorry, but we can’t help it.

And whereas many singer/songwriters make up for lack of vocal talent with guitar wizardry or writing prowess, tracks like “The World That I Wanted” don’t have enough latter to make up for the former. Couldn’t someone tell him half the song is off-key?

However, tracks like “When the River Moves On” and “We Can Be Strong” show a much more attuned Mason, with a Clapton-esque father figure tone. Our favorite track has to be “Save Myself,” with its simplistic bass line, gentle backing vocal chorus and underlying string.

We doubt the rest of the 22 year-old cubicle monkeys in Mason’s graduating class could hold a match to his potential talent pool. If the Ocean Gets Rough is only the second of many solid releases to come from Mason.