The New World: Black Vinyl LP

In the past quarter-century, those in the know have watched Shearwater slyly become one of the most distinctive and adventurous American bands. Led (as always) by songwriter and natural historian Jonathan Meiburg, The New Worlds nine immersive songs find the group farther afield than ever, and inrare company: along with Meiburgs fellow Shearwaters Emily Lee and Dan Duszynski, the albums supporting cast includes instrumental wizard Shahzad Ismaily, saxophonist and clarinetist Doug Wieselman, qanunist Farouz Zriek, guitarist Leo Abrahams, ngonist Mamadou Kouyate, percussionists Mahamadou Tounkara and Moctar Kouyate (of Ngoni Ba), and unclassifiable drummer Thor Harris. (Theres even a surprise visit from a certain L. Anderson.) That might sound like a lot of passengers, but theyre all ideal company for a headlong journey through joy, confusion, reverence and defiance, with Meiburgs voice as a graceful yet elusive guide. Both spare and ornate, The New World is absorbing in a way few albums are; its hard not to listen to the end once you drop in.

Tracklisting:

SIDE A1. Even Song2. More and More3. Daydream Unbeliever4. A Mink in the Dusk5. The Only Sound Im Afraid OfSIDE B1. The High Ranges2. Slugs in the Marigolds3. Anamnesia4. You and Your Dog