Thanks to NPR’s soundcheck, to which I was listening as I reluctantly drove to Larchmont to teach private lessons on Monday, I discovered Shearwater, led by frontman/singer/guitarist/pianist, Jonathan Meiburg. What a revelation hearing this music was! It is truly some of the most beautiful, passionate, atmospheric music I’ve heard in ages. When I got home after teaching that night, I immediately downloaded the new Shearwater record, “the Golden Archipelago.” Meiburg is apparently an ornithologist, which to me, makes his music even more interesting. Bird lovers unite. 🙂 Since I don’t have the tangible CD (I will indeed buy it since I still appreciate having the artwork in my hands) I don’t have the lyrics; they’re not on the web, at least to my knowledge, maybe because Shearwater isn’t hugely popular, so no one has put the lyrics online. Anyway, am very curious about the lyrics, because Meiburg, as beautiful as his voice is — and it is truly beautiful–is very hard to understand. The impression I get –and also thanks to Soundcheck– is that the subject matter is geared around nature, Meiburg’s travels, his interest in birds, and his studies in remote cultures around the world. So as much as I’d love to think that his haunting & passionate melodies are expressed through lyrics depicting torrid love affairs, I don’t think that’s the case. But still, how intriguing?!? I did read that Meiburg was influenced by Pink Floyd, esp. “the Final Cut.”
This man has an absolutely gorgeous voice and a deeply mystical approach to melody & harmony. I have very specific musical artists to which I could compare him, but I’m going to refrain. In essence, he is truly unique. One of my favorite songs, “God Made Me,” is not available for me to paste anywhere here, but it’s a great one.
This song is called “An Insular Life,” and it’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. When he first starts singing, it reminds me of a hymn or monks singing…and then it seems to take on a poignantly romantic vibe (but like, torrid, unexplainable, crazy, spiritual love, and mourning the loss of it…or longing for it anyway)…however, I do not think this song is about romantic love. But let’s just pretend. In any event, it must be spiritual. That is, deeply personal, deeply mystical. I love the title, and I presume this is about the feeling of isolation Meiburg felt when he was in remote places. Supremely beautiful. I wish I could thank him for writing such a beautiful song.
This video shows Meiburg playing a very gorgeous song called “Hidden Lakes;” He also speaks very eloquently about the inspiration behind “the Golden Archipelago.” Note his beautiful bird pictures on the piano. So lovely.
And here’s a very beautiful, but short promo video for the album; I think you can hear the instrumental epic quality of Pink Floyd in this (and others, of course):
Happy listening. This music is really magical. xoxo ~L
im trying to find time to ready everything I swear! Im so excited to hear this music. ive been listening to kd land & the twilight singers alot. I have another dr appt for the psoriasis again at 1 – im bringing birdy. Weve started making coffee! Will read your manifesto asap as well – i’ve read the beginnings of all the posts n browsed but did not focus for the whole things. love the vocab 🙂 hope the dissertationing is going well
Hi, I found my way here through the Shearwater forum. Great post on them. I always like to share how excited I am for the amount of Shearwater-discovering one has ahead of them upon first hearing them. Everything they’ve done is beautiful, and quite unique.
I thought I’d mention that the lyrics come with the Golden Archipelago, (along with tons of other great things that make the whole experience even better) but not for Rook – which I’m sure you’ll want to pick up soon as well. Those are posted here:
http://www.matadorrecords.com/shearwater/lyrics.html
I’ll look around the blog, it looks interesting! Hoping you’ll do much more posting at the SW forums!
Thanks so much for your comments, Cedric. I bought Rook & Palo Santo since writing that post back in the winter, and I LOVE them. I still haven’t gotten the materials that go with TGA, which I’m embarrassed to say because I’m a huge proponent of actually getting the artwork to go with the music. Will do for sure. Thanks again!! 🙂