Concert Fri Jul 25 2008

No Sophomore Slump from this David

A young singer/multi-instrumentalist sounds similar to a revered music figure. Hardly a press item about the singer's debut album fails to mention the vocal likeness. Even the production is reminiscent of that on the idol's best records. It's a lot to live up to when everyone's gut reaction is to compare the two - the 22-year old from Michigan and the dead glam rock star from Britain. Yet the debut receives critical praise. The Moonstation House Band may have led to David Vandervelde mentioned in the same sentences as Marc Bolan a lot, but Vandervelde himself would probably say he's been influenced more by Emmit Rhodes.

On the forthcoming Waiting for the Sunrise (Secretly Canadian; August 5), Vandervelde calms down a bit and turns out a perfect summer record. While "Lyin' in Bed" and "Knowledge of Evil" bring to the table some of the electricity that "Nothin' No" and "Jacket" injected into Moonstation, the vibe on Sunrise is generally more in line with 70s pop (as first single "I Will Be Fine" makes clear) than glam or power pop. However, in the past, Vandervelde and his band have been much more raw live than the records would suggest.

David Vandervelde performs at Schubas on Sunday, the 27th. The show starts at 9PM with Danny Black opening and admission is $10.

- James Ziegenfus