Shearwater Reviewed

Shearwater

Palo Santo (Misra)

Of the more pointed "none-of-the above" type bands in Austin, Shearwater is the most difficult to peg. Palo Santo, the quintet's fourth, doesn't make things any easier, introspective stillness alternating with grandiose prog-rock, which shifts into jagged, poppy nuevo wavo. While this approach is not new for Jonathan Meiburg and friends, Palo Santo is easily their most cogent. That's undoubtedly the result of this being Shearwater's first album to feature Meiburg compositions exclusively, the multi-instrumentalist also handling all the lead vocals. The lyrics remain mostly inscrutable, but his multifaceted voice has always been another instrument, adding mystery, melodies, and a wildly diverse series of emotions, and here he succeeds superbly. Picking out top tracks is difficult as, like Shearwater's past work, Palo Santo is best devoured in complete sittings. The Talking Heads bounce of "Red Sea, Black Sea," piano driven anthem "Seventy Four, Seventy Five," and the somber, shimmering "Failed Queen" demonstrate the breadth of Meiburg's singular songwriting talent. Like the bird the band is named after, Shearwater now soars over Austin's musical landscape with a sound discriminating tastes will find sublime.