Pink and Blue is Waterdeep's 10th album as a band... sort of. Husband and wife team Don and Lori Chaffer decided to tale things in a more playful and eclectic direction for their latest project as Waterdeep. Sonically as well as structurally different from previous efforts, the album is divided between seven songs that highlight Lori Chaffer's style (hence "Pink") and six songs that do the same for Don Chaffer (hence "Blue"); yet all are songs by the band Waterdeep.
Don Chaffer had this to say about Pink and Blue, "Where Heart Attack Time Machine was our just-us-two-in-our-basement-with-acoustic-instruments album, this is our let’s-have-a-party-and-whoop-it-up album. It covers a lot of ground. More importantly than all that: Brandon is back bangin’ the drums. Our steadfast compatriot (and Waterdeep’s only drummer ever), Brandon Graves, took time out of his busy schedule to pound the skins into oblivion on our behalf. God bless him. Also, along the way, I happened upon the bass player who played on the greatest live album of all time, Frampton Comes Alive. Stan Sheldon is his name, and he played on several songs- fantastic guy, fantastic playing. Point being: lots of interesting textures on this new album. And I didn’t even mention the five sisters who sang background vocals, the disco violins, the synthesizers, and the out-of-control background vocals. I didn’t want to overwhelm you."
Click here to add a video. Click to add lyrics if not listed.
First: this isn’t the Waterdeep you’re used to, especially if you associate the band with folk-influenced, modern acoustic worship. Secondly: that’s not a bad thing as the Chaffers (Don & Lori), who form the core of the band, take the opportunity to uninhibitedly loose their musical muse. Pink and Blue is a collection of contrasting juxtapositions expressed musically, lyrically and emotionally- beginning with the male/female allusion of the title.
The musical tempo of Mrs. Chaffer’s half of Pink and Blue wanders between a lo-fi 70’s pop vibe and unpretentious punk but never strays from the indie rock sound embraced by bands like Paramore and Arcade Fire. Her sparse, breathy soprano conveys gut-level honesty touched by delicate melancholy; and stands in contrast to the bright, driven liveliness of the music. The “Blue” half of the album finds Mr. Chaffer musically meandering between indie rock and alterna-folk with a liberal dash of Americana thrown in for good measure. His vocals and delivery stands in contrast (go figure) to Mrs. Chaffer’s, meandering between self-assured observation and husky musing, conveying a subtle urgency. Both halves are tied together by the raw, perceptive and matter-of-fact lyrics that offer reflections on life.
Pink and Blue is a series of artistic snapshots that fall across a broad spectrum of Waterdeep's two creative leads' experiences. It’s conceptual and experimental, but remains accessible. If you’re a fan of direct, intelligent, and quirky music from artists that dare to color outside the lines on occasion (re. The Shins, Sufjan Stevens, Over the Rhine, Jon Foreman, Iron & Wine, David Crowder Band’s more eclectic endeavors, and Arcade Fire), don’t hesitate to get this album A.S.A.P.
to add lyrics if not listed.
