William Pilgrim has been through a lot, and his songs show it. Raised in foster homes and homeless as a youth, the guy’s a fighter.
Now, I’m about to make a comparison that will not seem flattering at first. William Pilgrim reminds me of Hootie and the Blowfish. Not because of the more obvious comparisons between Pilgrim and Rucker, but Hootie’s emphasis on strong, folk-inspired melodies is evident through The Great Recession.
Also, both frontmen can really sing.
The difference, of course, lies in Pilgrim’s authenticity. While the ’90s pop hooks and Americana influence give the music a timeless quality, Pilgrim’s searing social commentary lends his songs immediacy. I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw this album on a certain list at the end of the year.
William Pilgrim and the All Grows Up — Official, Bandcamp, Facebook