Search - Great Lakes Myth Society :: Compass Rose Bouquet

A Summer's Day

Mr. Knight | Australia | 12/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great bands used to approach each album from a different angle, instead of delivering the same album each time, which meant I was pleasantly surprised by 'Compass Rose Bouquet' for the markedly different atmosphere: a Summer's day instead of a Winter's one.



The loss of their violinist has been counteracted with the introduction of Salvation Army style brass to some tracks, a warm and attractive colouring to the music.



The other major difference here is a huge step up in the quality of production. The band has more presence and the instruments achieve great clarity and seperation. The bass is especially punchy in the mix, and highlights J Scott McClintock's frankly incredible style, having written highly melodic lines that also play wonderfully off the rhythm and extend the harmonics. Fans of McCartney's mid-sixties playing should find much to love here.



The tracks are varied in feel, from the reflective, powerful 'Heydays', to the driving 'Summer Bonfire'. Some are unique, other's recall other masterworks: 'Eastern Birds' wanders in, seemingly from XTC's 'Skylarking', only to be followed by 'Stump Speech', paying a visit from the first Crowded House album. A highlight is the wonderful 'Midwest Main Street', which is full of simultaneous melodic instrumental lines playing in a complex tapestry, but never sounding message, and rocks along like a train carriage in motion.



As to the lyrics, the everday experiences within, although specific to the midwest, are universal enough that I can recognise them from my home in rural Australia.



So, another great work. This band is definitely one to watch."

A Good Second Effort

E. Monteith | Columbus, Ohio | 07/30/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Compass Rose Bouquet is just that -- a bouquet of studio craftsmanship that shows the brighter, softer side of the band as well as their instrumental skill. Those who expected the snow drifts and stiff lake winds of the last album may be surprised and a little disappointed that the salt trucks and gray skies of the debut work are replaced by sunnier afternoons. The thoughtful songwriting is still here, though without as much sense of place as the first album. Queen of the Barley Fool might as well have been written in Ireland as in Michigan, while Days of Apple Pie - one of the other standout songs on the album - is a melancholy reference to days gone by in who knows where. Still, there are enough dark undercurrents here to stay in character while branching out a bit. Truth be told, holding this band to its geographical name is probably unfairly restrictive. Whether their songs are about Ann Arbor, Mich. or Spokane, Wash., this is a good band that deserves much more than a regional following."