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Album Details

• Artist: Shearwater
• Album: Winged Life
• Label: Misra
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-06-12

Like they don't get enough of each other in their Okkervil River project. Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff have been putting out just as much material as the more introverted Shearwater. Winged Life is their second album for Austin-based Misra records and they are beginning to move away from the starkness of their first two albums. Oh, Winged Life is still pretty bleak with songs like the album closer "The Set Table". The album begins with the quiet plucking of "A Hush" that slowly builds into one of the albums nicest songs. The vocals are bloody amazing. Jonathan's voice can waver but never really falters. "Whipping Boy" is another highlight that sort of reminds me of a more melodic Folk Implosion. The drums sound a little muted which is a great effect for the band. I've heard Shearwater compared to Belle and Sebastian but don't get the impression that these guys are upbeat. No, they are fairly subdued. Winged Life is definitely an album for introspection, time alone, in a dark room, preferably with headphones. And probably not for everyone although if you are a fan of quieter rock then you need to look for this album.

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