Lost Channels

by

Great Lake Swimmers

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This CD opens with 3 songs steeped in world weariness. The lyrics of the first song, Palmistry state: "You can see by the lines on my hand, I've been carryin a heavy load." The simple repeated lyrics of "Everything is Moving so Fast" follow the same theme. Similarly, my favorite song on this CD is "Pulling on a Line.", with the chorus. "pullin on a line, pullin on a line and sometimes it pulls on me."

This is a CD that features stunningly beauiful vocal harmonies throughout, based on what band's website aptly describes as "the singular voice of (lead singer) Tony Dekker, a voice that summons ghosts from times past. (and) It's a voice that is capable of conveying heartache and comfort all in the space of a single phrase." The vocals in "Everything is Moving so Fast" and "River's End" are especially beautiful. The vocals are reminiscent of folk-style Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young songs such as "Teach Your Children".

Listening to the songs in order the additional themes are estrangement (Concrete Heart) and separation (She Comes to Me in Dreams). This is followed by unexpected sources of hope and beauty such as "The Chorus in the Underground" and the simple bells of "Singer Castle Bells". Further songs such as "New Light" and the last song: "Unison Falling into Harmony" convey a sense of hope and peacefullness though still suffused with sadness.

I continue to be intrigued by the lyrics and drawn in by the beautiful music after repeated listens.

I commented on my own review to give links to a great CBC News interview and album review and also to the band's website where you can listen to full tracks of several of the songs. Enjoy.