Album Review: Your First Ever River by United Waters – A Lo-Fi Gem That’ll Mess With Your Head (In a Good Way)
So, let’s talk about Your First Ever River, the 2011 brainchild of United Waters. If you’re into Alternative Pop/Rock with a side of lo-fi weirdness and experimental vibes, this one might just tickle your eardrums in ways you didn’t know were possible. Released under Arbitrary Signs (a label that sounds like it was named during a brainstorming session fueled by cold coffee), this album is like that quirky friend who shows up uninvited but ends up being the life of the party.
First off, kudos to Brian Sullivan for creating soundscapes that feel like they were recorded in someone’s basement—intentionally. It’s not messy; it’s crafted chaos. And Mary Kidd’s artwork? Let’s just say it matches the vibe perfectly—dreamy, slightly off-kilter, and kinda unforgettable. Props also go to Patrick Klem for mastering this thing so it doesn’t sound like an actual river washing away your speakers.
Now, onto the tracks. There are some real winners here, but two stood out to me like neon socks on a formal occasion: “My Geology II” and “Different Heavens.”
“My Geology II” hits different—it’s like listening to the soundtrack of a road trip where the GPS has given up on you. The layers of sound build subtly, almost imperceptibly, until you realize you’ve been nodding along for five minutes straight. Is it rock? Is it pop? Honestly, I don’t care because it works. Plus, any song that makes me think of geology without boring me deserves extra points.
Then there’s “Different Heavens,” which feels like floating through clouds made of static and hope. It’s dreamy yet grounded, if that makes sense. You can tell Brian Sullivan wasn’t just throwing random notes together—he was building little worlds, one track at a time. This tune stuck with me because it’s got this sneaky way of creeping into your thoughts hours after you’ve heard it. Like, why am I still humming this while folding laundry?
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going. Tracks like “Spires I” and “No End To Eyes” keep things interesting, though I will admit, having four versions of “My Geology” felt a bit indulgent. But hey, if you’re gonna obsess over something, why not make it geological?
Here’s the kicker: as much as I enjoyed this record, part of me wonders if United Waters knew how niche it would be. Like, did they sit around thinking, “Yeah, let’s release this and see if anyone gets it?” Spoiler alert: I got it. Well, most of it anyway.
Final thought: Listening to Your First Ever River feels like finding a hidden path in the woods—you’re not sure where it leads, but damn, isn’t the journey fun? Now excuse me while I go listen to “My Geology II” again and pretend I understand rocks better than I actually do.
