![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The song nods at celebration, but never quite achieves that tone. "The weather breaks, the spirit shakes, and something switches on." That kinetic imagery is undercut by Dekker's ungainly melody and the awkward interruptions of electric guitar in the chorus. The band too often strains for exuberance, as on the title track, a sort of geological party rock anthem. But as the title suggests, the emphasis is squarely on more upbeat numbers- wild by Great Lake Swimmers standards. Slower songs like "Cornflower Blue" and "The Knife" sound wan and maudlin the gravity that Great Lake Swimmers easily captured on their debut and Ongiarahas been replaced with a drab dreariness. ![]() In the relatively staid environment of an actual studio, however, they've made their weakest record to date, one that lacks the subtle power and distinctive personality of their best work. Perhaps it's the outdoors, which on previous albums has come across more as a charming backstory than as an identifiable sonic element. The new lineup is more agile than previous incarnations, introducing flourishes of country and bluegrass into Dekker's naturalistic folk and creating a larger canvas for his landscapes. New Wild Everywhere, their fifth record in a decade, not only introduces a semi-permanent quintet that includes two long-time collaborators, but marks the first time the Swimmers have recorded in a proper studio. ![]()
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