Artist: Shearwater
Album: The Golden Archipelago
Release: 2010
“Gone from the house to the snow like a wandering light”
Rain is a very interesting phenomena. It can stir up a myriad of emotions including but not limited to sadness, tranquility, and peace. And for an Oregonian such as myself – it’s a welcome change from the dull and predictable sun. For me, rain is nature attempting to clean up all the filth we dump on our earth. But emotionally, it’s an opportunity to wander around in the recesses of my mind. I find rain storms to be a calming experience. These kind of mixed feelings are what Austin’s own Shearwater deliver to us on their latest release The Golden Archipelago. Just like the cover suggests, the listener is drifting aimlessly along in the ocean through a warm rainstorm. We are taken on a sonic journey through a chain of islands with only the wind as our guide. Sounding like if Nick Drake decided to record a post-rock album, The Golden Archipelago is quite the unique little record. Its captivating mix of 70’s folk rock and modern progressive influences make for quite an amazing listening experience. I can confidently say that I’ve never heard anything like it. The magic captured here with little more than keys, drums, and guitars is nothing short of inspiring. Add in vocalist Jonathan Meiburg’s sullen and relaxing croon to the mix and we are left with something that sounds like it doesn’t belong in this world. Yet with all the subtle and soft music featured here, Shearwater isn’t afraid to throw in the mild tempest or two just to keep the listener on their toes. Its during these sections that drummer Thor, (yep, his name is freaking Thor), Harris shines. His ability to keep me interested in a simple beat is astounding. There’s just so much heart put into his instrument. I’m reminded a bit of Neil Peart’s solo work and that’s never a bad thing. Another comparison I could make is with Eluvium’s latest album Similes. Both works are so steeped in atmosphere that it becomes almost impossible not to be taken somewhere. If one were to listen to both these records back to back, I have no doubt they would transcend this life into something far better. This album being my first experience with Shearwater, I had no idea what to expect. But by the time The Golden Archipelago ended I was lost in this world. I didn’t want it to end. In a rarity for me, I listened to the record again immediately after my first listen just to stay lost in this world Shearwater have created. And it is truly a beautiful world.
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