Wah-Wah Me a River

Here’s a confession: A promo copy Don Cavalli’s Cryland (Everloving) has been sitting on my desk since February. I’ve heaped praise upon it to friends, spun it dozens of times in its entirety, and spent more time than I’d like to admit grinning like an idiot as its hypnotic grooves massaged my brain’s happy hormones. I stopped short of writing about it in part because I was sure my words would fail to convey its curious charm, and that the Web would soon overflow with glowing reviews of Cryland, leaving the heavy lifting to some other sucker while I kicked back and let the wah-wah wizardry wash over me with slothful glee. Alas, it's four months later and precious few are trumpeting the joy of Don Cavalli.

A white French rockabilly guitarist with a funny accent and no discretion when it comes to effects pedals takes his best shot at the Delta blues. Not exactly an infallible recipe but one that works with infectious results on Cryland. The first half bursts with Cavalli’s funkdified electro-blues interpretations, mushed vocals humming in a low growl. Then things get bizarre: “Wandering Wanderer” sedates with the melodies of 1970s Jamaican harmony trios, “New Hollywood Babylon” freaks out with a stoned, off-kilter pseudo-rap, and “Wonder Chairman” is fueled almost entirely by a chorus of snorts and grunts. As feared, no string of letters will translate this album’s bizarre delight. Take my word, you’ll be happier after a trip to Cryland.