Walden’s five track album, "Before I Wake," takes the intimacy of the lone folk guitarist and expands into a burst of stratified ambiance. Brown’s bare-bones songwriting style and subdued manner works nicely with the slew of contributing instruments and effects. "Before I Wake" is a cohesive circuit of soothing melodies and swelling crescendos that perfectly animates the albums artwork and motif. Job well done. At times Walden can be a bit too similar to Mumford & Sons for my tastes, but if that’s your thing then this is right up your alley. I’m not sure if the name is a Thoreau reference or not, but the organic, intimate aesthetic is what makes this album worth a listen. He plays The Basement this Sunday, 12.15. -Michael Perry
