Any attempt to follow up 2011’s critically acclaimed Smoke Ring For My Halo was bound to be met with some underlying cynicism.
The perfect temperament that was instilled on this effort showcased a low-fi acoustic vibe and Vile’s distinctive slacker drawl, albeit streamlined into a slick and somewhat polished format. Vile’s quirky musings and almost listless lyrical style gave off an air of nonchalance that was the perfect counterpoint to his virtuoso guitar finger picking and ambient production.
New album Walkin On A Pretty Daze ticks a number of the boxes that fascinated on its predecessor; however a change of pace sees the Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter adopting what in comparison seem like MOR song structures and a love for American Radio Rock reminiscent of the likes of Creedence, and Tom Petty.
This of course never seemed entirely at odds with Vile’s ethos as this influence was vaguely present in his previous work, however with some songs clocking in at over 10 minutes and with long drawn-out instrumental sections where Vile occasionally drifts in and out, it all seems a bit second hand until his familiar slack jawed vocal props up the wandering arrangements.
Opening track ‘Wakin On A Pretty Day’ is a breezy stroll through suburbia that occasionally gets caught short on its instrumental lulls which result in an overlong and somewhat bloated album introduction. ‘KV Crimes’ is one of the more direct moments on the record with it’s abrasive guitar riffage and mid tempto stomp. ‘Girl Called Alex’ is a reflective ballad that hints at a plaintive desire to re-visit a misspent youth evidenced by the lyric “I wanna live all the time / in my fantasy infinity”. While ‘Airbud’ has all the familiar chops of Vile at his most sincere and melodic, this doesn’t detract from the fact that for long periods throughout the record the laid back troubadour seems more withdrawn, vaguely phoning in areas that he previously had an instinctive knack for.
Although it is inconsistent and wanders aimlessly in places, it will no doubt find its place amongst Kurt Vile’s body of work and be remembered as a wild card effort that captivated at some moments and dragged in others.
