Sea Wolf - Get to the River Before It Runs too Low Review
by Erika Szabo
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The L.A. based singer/songwriter Alex Brown Church provides superb story telling in his intimate narrative, Get to the River Before It Runs too Low. Bassist of indie pop band Irving, Church takes a softer, more organic approach here in contrast to that band's more upbeat, hybrid side. Consisting of Alex Brown Church, Steven Scott, Brian Canning, and Aaron Burrows, Irving's members are all contributing songwriters. Thanks to each member's expansive taste in music, Irving creates songs that are indeed genre spanning. Despite Sea Wolf's folksy approach to music, the overall effect of this EP is memorable as well. Replacing poppy beats are the finger-picking of guitars, thrusting cellos and calm keyboard beats. Church being the only invariable member of Sea Wolf, joining him are cohorts ranging from former Elliot Smith drummer Scott McPherson to fellow band member and keyboardist Aaron Burrows. In addition to Church's work as producer of the EP, producer Phil Ek (Built to Spill, The Shins, Modest Mouse) lends a hand in penetrating the sweet-tempered and at times melancholy beats of Get to the River Before It Runs too Low. What remains so enlightening about this EP is its perfect use of pacing. With a fine use of consistency, Get to the River Before It Runs too Low remains subtle, sensitive and charming. Combined with Church's feathery and at times cryptic vocals, listeners will become charmed by this arresting EP. The robust "You're A Wolf" is single-worthy but is never lacking in its rich texture. With story telling that's both mysterious and enchanting, this opener constructs the overall feel of the entire album. "The Garden That You Planted" is sensitively sharp while "I Made a Resolution", reminiscent of Arcade Fire, is painfully gripping with swelling strings and rumbling drums accenting Church's ghostly voice. "Ses Monuments" is the weakest song on this album, pulling away from the overall feel of passed tracks. But what is lacking here is regained in the timidly charming "I Don't Know If I'll Be Back This Time" with its simple harmonium and twinkling keyboards. At around 19 minutes, Get to the River Before It Runs too Low penetrates the irrevocable feeling of nostalgia. The sensitivity and tenderness of this compelling EP is bound to raise heads and hearts alike. With the debut album expected to be released this September, listeners will be anxious to hear Church's other intimate concoctions. It's a departure from Irving's breezy vocals and chipper beats, but fetching in its own right. Sea Wolf establishes itself to be as adept as ever in its story telling and folk overtones.
Track Listing
1. You're A Wolf
2. The Garden That You Planted
3. I Made a Resolution
4. Ses Monuments
5. I Don't Know If I'll Be Back This Time
CD Info and Links
Sea Wolf - Get to the River Before It Runs too Low
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