PATRICK WATSON Wooden Arms (2010 UK 11-track CD album - Written during a Montreal winter and recorded in Montreal and Iceland, 'Wooden Arms' cements Patrick Watson in the territory between serious composer and indie pop artist, with stage charisma to spare. The band's compositions span expansive chamber pop and beguiling indie-folk, with an unerring ear for melody and texture. Watson and his band created the album's fascinating orchestrations, which include not just the usual instrumental suspects but violin, cello, marimbas, pedal steel, harp, tree branch, plunger, megaphone, and drawers. Whether it's the bicycle-city sound of 'Beijing', or the country evocation of 'a hole in the wall' on 'Big Bird In A Small Cage', or the haunting European waltz of the title track, 'Wooden Arms' can be interpreted as the story and sound of a band on tour.).