Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River Review
by Erika Szabo
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Melodic enough to break the stereotypes of acoustic guitar strumming, while distinguishing itself in catchy folk/indie tunes and fervent storytelling, Sea Wolf is in a league all of it's own. Much like in the EP Get to the River Before It Runs Too Low, Sea Wolf's much-awaited LP Leaves in the River conveys tales of lost love and raw emotions. The complexities of these sentimental feelings never dampen the passionate nature of this album. Having already reviewed Sea Wolf's EP, the intrigue that had initially swept my core would engulf me in more of the same charm. Even more intriguing personally, not everything is the same in Leaves in the River. Alex Church made an attempt to utilize indie pop and mild electronica influences throughout the album and succeeded nicely, but listeners should feel the same when it comes to haunting lyrical content, vocal conveyance and melancholy.
Opener, "Leaves in the River" is a quiet, monochromatic song that will surely delve deep into listeners not familiar with Sea Wolf's EP, while everyone else should feel the same nostalgic somberness. The tuneful "Winter Windows" swells in sound and pulsates in woe. The panging guitars of "Black Dirt" feel alien to the rest of the album, while "Rose Captain" never feels more at home with its folk aesthetic. "Middle Distance Runner" has the weakest storytelling out of any of the songs on Leaves in the River, while EP single "You're a Wolf" is still as good as it was before with its robustness. "Song for the Dead" has a strange feel to it - vocals, lyrics and sound are equally haunting - it may very well be as haunting as a Sea Wolf song can get, and I mean that in the best possible way. "Black Leaf Falls" has a nice ring to it, the piano catches the ears as does the poetry Alex Church is so good at writing. "The Cold, the Dark and the Silence" is a notable song for it's quiet sensibilities and highly emotive content. This single worthy track utilizes small pulsating beats, making it sound poppy but never lacking its somber nature. And "Neutral Ground" closes things with a story that's anything but uplifting, but full of rich textures.
Leaves in the River is a great example of music that fails to follow the clichιs of other upcoming artists. Nowadays, musicians care too much about being deep and different. It's rare to actually find an album that is as smart as it is sensitive. Sea Wolf's sound is simple but complex, and lacks cheer but has high potential. Storytelling is top-notch and greatly depended on, it isn't hard to grasp or inaccessible. Rest assured, you'll get your money's worth when buying this album, but get ready for the pensive feeling that awaits.
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Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River
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