Adam Faucett hails from Arkansas and is one of those musicians who belonged to a band called "Taught the Rabbits" who you file in that drawer marked "should have been bigger". Faucett has a voice that comes across like a hybrid of My Morning Jacket's high level pipes of Jim James combined with the more earthy concerns of John Fullbright. Quite why Faucett languishes in relative obscurity and is not wider known is one for the Gods of Fate to explain, what is clear is that some detective work on the part of readers of this review would be richly rewarded.
"Blind Water Finds Blind Water" is a often haunting record packed with minimalist instrumentation and country angst not least the dark pain on display in "Sparkman". Some have described Faucett as the "Arkansas' truckstop poet laureate" and this nicely captures the atmosphere of his songs. The starting point should be the outstanding "Benton" written about his hometown and demanding a major league artist to turn into a classic. The guitar runs which populate the song are pure Grateful Dead while Faucett's vocal comes from the Dickie Betts school of Southern charm. Other songs also impress greatly. Opener "Day Drinker" has a slight REM feel although the vocal is pure emotion. "Edgar Cayce" is a song about the American mysticist known as the "The Sleeping Prophet" who believed in the power of trance. One doesn't have to buy into Cayce's mumbo jumbo to recognise that Faucett has penned a great song about him. Finally "Rock over Gold" is the type of electric anthem which Neil Young nailed on "Le Noise" albeit it has a melody.
"Blind Water Finds Blind Water" is one of those albums that you play when drunk to friends bemused that they cannot recognise the greatness stemming from the speakers. The answer is don't give up and lock them in the room. Faucett deserves a wider audience not least since he has one of the finest beards on offer in rock. What more could you ask for?
Review by Red on Black
