Shearwater–Rook (Plus instore at Good Records)
I admit to being reluctant either to embrace or write about Shearwater’s Rook, because I have not fully digested the album. I just discovered, however, that they’ll be at Good Records tomorrow with a free instore performance, so now is perhaps the time to say a word.
Shearwater is from Austin and overlaps with the excellent Okkerville River, so they have to marks in their favor before you even hit play. Their music is a heavily orchestrated affair, led by the resonant voice of Jonathan Meiburg (think Scott Walker) who pens songs with pensively poetic narratives (believe it or not, this disgusting alliteration was accidental, so I’m keeping it). The end result, though, is a little too melodramatic for me to love, but judging from the critical acclaim this album has received I seem to be in the minority. Whatever your final judgment, these guys clearly deserve respect and I have little doubt that their Good Records performance will be worth catching.
I’ve been holding back on commenting ever since the post on Darwin, ok to be honest even before that.
However…
I saw Shearwater down in Austin a few weeks ago and they are breathtaking. It was such a beautiful, magical performance. I wish I could come to the instore, but I’ll be at work. I absolutely love Rook (and most of their older stuff too), but I am completely unobjective when it comes to them. Are you going to the concert at Lola’s?
Shearwater is a band that I suspect I would like better live. They are, without a doubt, damned impressive. I like the early stuff I’ve heard, perhaps even more than Rook. Won’t make it to Lola’s, but if you do, enjoy!