Search - Sea Wolf :: White Water, White Bloom

Artistic rock without pretensions

revrev | Baltimore, MD United States | 10/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I became a reviewer just so I could put in a positively ecstatic review of this cd.



Basically, I've waited FOREVER for this cd, and it hit me right in my sweet spot: artistic but accessible rock that rewards repeated listening. Here is what is unique about this cd: strings, organs, and a wide variety of instrumentation (20-some instruments are listed in the liner notes), each magically chosen as a perfect fit to each song. The heavy use of strings you might think would make the sound either schmaltzy or pretentious, but it is neither. The classical instruments work, for once, quite perfectly within the basic construct of traditional rock and folk. The songs are fairly simple, accessible melodies, but the strings and instrumentation give each a unique and engaging sound that makes you want to keep this cd on repeat forever!!



The lyrics are poetic and obscure enough to make you want to follow along with the printed version in hand. The vocals have a smoky, spooky edge that helps create an ethereal quality, the perfect complement to the cello that sometimes harmonizes and sometimes counters with the basic melody line.



Have you ever been so enthralled by a cd that you're afraid to buy something else by the same group for fear of being disappointed? That's where I am with this one - I think I'll wait a couple months before I try another.



"

Some of the Finest Songwriting of 2009

Jeff Loudon | Nashville, TN | 11/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Taking the name from Jack London's 1904 novel, The Sea Wolf, Sea Wolf is the incarnation of the musical ideas of singer/songwriter Alex Church. While Church remains the sole composer of every song on this second full-length release for Sea Wolf, a large number of musicians contributed to the creation of this album including Lisa Fendelander and Theodore Liscinski who both toured with Sea Wolf following 2007's Leaves in the River.



White Water, White Bloom opens with "Wicked Blood," a track very similar to "You're a Wolf," the song that put the band on the map, but orchestrated on a much larger scale. This new, expanded sound may be due, in part, to the band's new producer, Mike Mogis. Mogis is best known as one of the chief musical contributors to the band Bright Eyes, a band Sea Wolf has often drawn comparison to.



The addition of a string ensemble to many of the tracks found on this album makes already poetically beautiful songs even more pleasing to the ear. Songs like the title track, "White Water, White Bloom," seem to take ideas from bands like the Decemberists and make use of feature instruments which help to tell the story being told in the song. Church has made a great number of improvements to Sea Wolf's sound since 2007 and with his talent for song writing, Sea Wolf will no doubt become a well known name in the music industry in the years to come.



It may be a long time before Alex Church is selling out large venues with his music, but Sea Wolf will earn a much larger fan base in every age group with this album. For anyone looking to give White Water, White Bloom a listen, this late September release is perfect for a drive through the Adirondacks this fall as the leaves change.



Similar Artists: Cat Stevens, The Decemberists



Track Suggestion: The Traitor"

Great Follow Up; More Wolf!

Jeremiah Garza | 09/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album definitely shows Sea Wolf growing and changing which everyone should want to see in a band. The opening song "Wicked Blood" really hits you full force with a fast, catchy drum beat which was the exact opposite of their debut.

There is much to like about this album, I have already listened to it dozens of times and although I do like their debut album "Leaves in the River" more, this is expected from any fan that fell in love with that album however; I still welcome the change and want even more from this band.



Another thing is I still think Alex brings in some of his classic Sea Wolf melody in many of the tracks such as "Orion & Dog" this is a very nice mixed album.



Anyone should give this album a listen whether a new fan or old, it's an excellent album and band."