As a new listener to Austin, Texas – based Shearwater, I was walking into a record not knowing what to expect. Having previously met member Jordan Gieger, my only introduction to the band was that alone. I had also been informed they opened for Coldplay and have toured Europe, so my expectations ran very high to say the least. 
Not only do Shearwater paint with heavy layers of instruments, but they can leave the listener with the illusion of Shearwater housing a lot more then five members. They are always building off of an initial idea, whether it be percussion, the piano or vocals. This idea is always being enhanced and is always building to the bigger picture. Think of it as watching Bob Ross. Take out the guy with the afro and replace it with Shearwater; take out the paint brush and insert the instruments. The finished product consists of 11 paintings crafted before your ears, all constructed with many different colors and techniques, which will leave you wondering how a simple group could pull so much off.
Singer Jonathan Meiburg‘s haunting voice can provide an array of moods. He is backed by a clearly talented group which delivers the same effect with their artistry to a “T.” From one end, they provide layers upon layers of strings, synths, keyboards and percussion, allowing for an intense folk rock experience. On the other end, they provide pleasant balladry that only showcases melody and simple chord voices. To bring it home, their solid quintet roots of bass, drums, guitars and keyboard create an amazing rock band commotion, all of which construct amazingly solid songs.
There is a catch.
Being an avid listener to all different styles, I realize that some bands require a certain degree of patience. I’ve got to say, a lot of music today is very easy to listen to. Three and a half minute punk/pop/rock songs have conditioned us to passively listen, but with Shearwater you can’t do that.
Shearwater can do a lot for you as a listener; you just have to let them. They build on an emotion and don’t stop. It’s a quite marvelous experience. For fans of The Swell Season, Coldplay (Circa Viva La Vida), Ra Ra Riot and Radiohead (these being the broadest of examples), Shearwater’s The Golden Archipelago is a geniusly orchestrated album.
Track Listing:
1. Meridian
2. Black Eyes
3. Landscape at Speed
4. Hidden Lakes
5. Corridors
6. God Made Me
7. Runners of the Sun
8. Castaways
9. An Insular Life
10. Uniforms
11. Missing Islands
Written by Todd Anderson
