Vandaveer is Mark Charles. Hailing from Washington DC Charles is possibly the closest thing music has to “a temp”, turning out for These United States, The Apparitions and seemingly anyone else prepared to extend an invite.
Charles peddles a charming line of acoustic folk/pop which conjures up images of late 20th century troubadours like Martin Stephenson and the quieter moments of Matthew Sweet as well as 60’s legends such as Donovan and Dylan.
Seamlessly alternating between melancholy and joy things move along nicely. Only ten tracks and thirty four minutes pass between the beginning and the end and the album is richer for that. By keeping things to a minimum, including the arrangements & production, Charles allows each track to breathe and their sumptuous beauty shines through.
‘Marianne You’ve Done It Now’ and ‘The Streets Are Full Of Creeps’ are tales of menace which explore the underbelly of life. Yet thanks to the sparse arrangements and engaging vocals they refuse to descend in to pantomime farce. If Nick Cave ever decides to produce Murder Ballads II he could do worse than consider either of these tracks for inclusion.
‘Parasites & Ghosts’ is a song of hope explaining how we are all ultimately the same and capable of enjoying the good things that life has to offer. This album is quintessentially 1960’s American in feel yet it explores themes that remain relevant today. Lost love, daydreaming of better days and the dark thoughts we all hold are ticked off with consummate ease. In doing so Charles displays that rare ability to hold the listener and tell tales with just one voice and one guitar.
Disc closer ‘Roman Candle’ ties things up beautifully with a song about maturing and moving on. My hope is that this is a statement of intent from Vandaveer. The album is a joy to behold and one that I hope can find the audience that the undeniably talented Charles deserves.
If Dylan had chilled out, rejected politics and discovered Vicks Inhalers he might just have made this record.
