The Golden Archipelago

January 18, 2010

Austin, TX’s Shearwater continually proves to be one of the most accomplished and eloquent indie rock bands making music today. The band’s last album Rook, which I still consider to be a masterpiece, showed an apocalyptic vision of a dying world that came about due to man’s cruelty to nature. The Golden Archipelago also focuses on man’s impact on the natural world but in a considerably more uplifting manner. As is hinted at in the album’s title, attention here is turned to the indigenous peoples that inhabit islands and their co-existence with the lush environment that surrounds them. The album opens with native aborigine chants and the lyrics reference islands from Madagascar to Tierra Del Fuego, while the music itself revels in the magnitude and dignity of the non-materialistic island lifestyle.

Johnathon Meisburg’s striking vocals are the center point for the music, at some times delicate and fragile and at others dramatic and expressive. The production is far denser than anything the band has done and the songs are, for the most part, shorter and more contained. The band specializes in making music that is achingly beautiful and they accomplish this spectacularly throughout this album. Perhaps the track that hits the hardest is “Black Eyes” which is underscored by a masterfully performed piano which moves from arpeggio to staccato chords throughout the song and in the climatic moments is joined by a magnificent string build-up. “Castaways”, which was the first track released online, features one of the band’s most hauntingly beautiful melodies and another lovely instrumental arrangement.

The fuller, more brilliant sound must be attributed to both John Congleton’s production and the increasingly proficient performances from the band, especially their drummer Thor (probably the best name for a drummer ever) who steals the spotlight time and time again. After finally bidding farewell to Okkervil River two years ago (which was memorialized in the song “Lost Coastlines”), Johnathon Meisburg now has more time to spend on Shearwater and the dedication to his craft truly shows on this album. Since the band’s output thus far have dependably been growers, time will only tell the heights this will album will reach, but what’s sure is that Shearwater have added another captivating, gorgeous work to their already phenomenal catalogue.

MP3 Black Eyes
MP3 Castaways

The Golden Archipelago will be released February 23rd on Matador Records. Pre-order the album by clicking here.

Posted by Taylor in Album Review