Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago

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.

Music of 2009 - Part X

1. Wardruna – Runaljod-Gap var Ginnunga

Bringing Baldr back – one hymn at a time. Ending our list is an obscure band from Norway with their debut record. I’ll admit that this is a bit of an odd choice for the last spot on this list. But hey, it’s all about the experience you can have with music, and boy did I experience this record. But first a short story. I found this album, (or it found me), when I was questioning a lot of the things around me. My grades were slipping, I was distancing myself from my friends and loved ones. Basically I was going through a “what the hell am I doing with my life?” phase. Nothing seemed to be able to hold my attention, and for someone like me that’s a big problem… Then I listened to these recordings… I felt as if time around me had stopped. For the first time in months I was completely at peace with the world and its inhabitants. Everything just seemed to make sense. As lame as this is going to sound, Gap var Ginnunga took me on a journey. A journey I didn’t want to end. But enough of my life. Onto the record… This is the first of three albums that will focus on the runes of the elder furthark. Each song represents a different rune. As someone who has studied runes and knows the power they hold, this is huge. Each song manages to capture what each rune is all about and does so without overwhelming the listener. Some songs were even recorded on specific days of the pagan calendar to capture the true essence of the God’s in the music. Admittedly, this record is not for everyone. I would only recommend this music to someone who is very open minded and doesn’t mind a challenging listen. But the rewards captured here are endless. This record is a testament to the true power music holds. I had a revelation while listening to it – imagine what it could do for you.