Shearwater

The Golden Archipelago

Matador Records

Rocks like: Fleet… Shearwater

The Golden Archipelago

Matador Records

Rocks like: Fleet Foxes, Sigur Rós

Grade: A-

Some albums seek to define a moment. Others seek to convey a mood. But The Golden Archipelago, the latest effort from the Okkervil River side project Shearwater, seeks and accomplishes something entirely unprecedented: to musically encapsulate the interaction between men and islands.

At first, this goal seems as ridiculous as it is obscure. But then you begin the first track, and the solemn beauty of this folk-pop tapestry seizes you. Kicking off with a rhythmic tribal chorus, the album’s 11 tracks craft an atmosphere of exquisite sublimity, bringing to mind sunsets, forests and yes, islands. If this sounds dull, fear not: Steady percussion, a smart blend of guitar and piano and the occasional strings make Shearwater’s opus nothing less than sonically breathtaking.

Keeping with the band’s transcendental bent, many lyrics read like a Victorian-era poem. For instance, in the first track, “Meridian,” lead singer Jonathan Meiburg croons, “In the boom and swell from the waves to the heights/reverberations of our old lives.” This sort of epic imagery permeates the entire album, from the aforementioned lyrics to the album artwork to the track titles such as “Runners of the Sun” and “Missing Islands.”

Admittedly, many people might find Shearwater’s Thoreau-like ruminations a bit backward or dull.

By the end of the album, many listeners might feel that the music’s hypnotic effect has worn off. But one thing is undeniable: Shearwater is pioneering previously neglected musical territory. Nature lovers rejoice.