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Shearwater: Rook
Shearwater
Rook
Matador Records
I have given my praise before for the band Okkervil River, however I
was not aware of Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff's other project Shearwater.
Shearwater is like the quieter, introspective brother of the two. Rook
is the fifth studio release from this Austin, TX band and proves how
wonderfully intriguing those quieter types can be.
Jonathan Meiburg's voice has the perfect depth and resonance to be listened
to all by itself, paired with a quietly tinkered piano and it highlights
the notes, and against a backdrop of ferocious guitars it soars. The
title track (well, sort of, it does include an 's') "Rooks"
makes me think of Roy Orbison, if he had mixed it up with some indie
bands right now. There is a combination of hypnotic guitar work and
equally mesmerizing vocals. Rooks also has a very familiar sounding
"wooo" loop in it compared to Clinic's "Thank You",
off of their 2004 release Winchester Cathedral.
I don't know how intentional, if at all, this was, but it was close
enough that my ears picked up on it. They both did tour together just recently, again, who knows?
Much of Rook is hauntingly beautiful tracks that showcase many singular
elements. It feels clear and cool without sounding void of emotion.
But Rook isn't all quiet, inner ballads. Tracks like "Century Eyes"
and the build up in "Lost Boys" have much heat, an added punch
in the right spots. "South Col" is a severely creepy instrumental
that, if you close your eyes, you are sitting on a solitary creaky swing
out in the mostly desolate place on Earth. It is both entrancing, and
freaks me a just a little bit. I'd recommend "Rooks", "Lost
Boys" and "South Col".
-Elana Rintala