Many music enthusiasts will surely remember the wonderful Watershed acoustic ballad "Indigo Girl" from 2002, which was played on almost every radio station. It's the story of a girl the protagonist falls madly in love with, but knows for sure that he can never win this girl over. The accompanying video shows how this woman keeps crossing his field of vision in his thoughts, standing next to him, but doesn't actually exist. That's why the video repeatedly cuts to what appear to be surveillance cameras, in which the woman is also not visible. At the end, however, we do see her in real life, which is probably meant to show us that sometimes dreams can come true—especially the dream of an Indigo Girl.
After a three-year break from releases, a new Watershed album, “Elephant In The Room,” is finally released, marking the 20th anniversary of their “Indigo Girl” and 21 years after their first album release in 2000, “In the Meantime.” On the one hand, it builds on the class of the old records, but also picks up on the signs and sounds of the present.
The album was written, arranged, and recorded during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Craig Hinds began gathering initial ideas in early 2020. The songs evolved slowly, and when he was allowed to travel again, he met with his bandmates in Johannesburg to further develop the tracks in collaborative sessions. "There was a lot to write about, as emotions were running high, families and couples were separated, and 'times they are/were a-changing,' as the legend Bob Dylan would have put it" (CRAIG HINDS).
“Elephant In The Room” is a solid and warm album with twelve tracks, recorded in a trio formation (Craig Hinds (vocals, guitar, percussion), Howie Combrink (drums, vocals), and Gideon Botes (guitar). The latter is also responsible for production and mixing, with support from Hinds and Combrink. In addition to the usual outstanding Craig Hinds compositions, it also features a stunning Watershed interpretation of the Bruce Springsteen classic “I'm On Fire.” The LP contains a good mix of uptempo songs, classic Watershed ballads, and mid-tempo pieces. The group's music has evolved over the years, incorporating a wide variety of influences, yet never straying too far from what has always defined Watershed.
Lyrically, Craig Hinds embarks on a journey into the unknown, questioning everything happening around him while simultaneously attempting to address the "elephant in the room." There are simply too many opinions and no one is truly addressing the real situation (CRAIG HINDS). In true Watershed songwriting tradition, the songs address everyday themes, everyday worries, everyday ups and downs, and everyday love to create songs that will stay with you for a long time. His biggest fear is not being able to write a hit. "It doesn't matter how much you tour, how many fans you have, or how many online followers click on your page. If you don't have good songs, you're not going anywhere" (CRAIG HINDS).
Anyone expecting a new "Indigo Girl" may be disappointed, however, as Watershed in 2021 has definitely become more contemporary and rockier. Stylistically, Watershed have evolved, but they haven't lost sight of their own special sound: haunting, energetic, and sophisticated indie folk-pop rock. Songs like the single "Undone," "Map Of My Behaviour," the bonus track "Countdown," and the title track itself feature magnificently driving drums without losing the melodic affinity of Hinds' compositions. Memories of early R.E.M., Oldplay, and Crash Test Dummies are evoked. The instrumentation focuses on an excellent blend of guitars, electric piano, and Craig Hinds' distinctive and naturally expressive voice.