Description:
We all love to feel the songwriter has made the right choice in notation, lyric, and sound -- for a song to go exactly where our minds, racing ahead, wish for it to end up. There is comfort in that, and simple joy. Rook perseveres, boasting a gorgeous score, thunderous and steady percussion, and an impressive -- to say the least -- vocal range; [Jonathan] Meiburg sounding at once like David Bowie, Jello Biafra, Televisions Tom Verlaine, and Tiny Tim without a falter, flat or flaunt. Each lyrical line has a genuineness and an unabashed sincerity that is surprising with how forceful and emotive they can be -- almost theatrical but halting before the Elton John comes out... Shearwater have created something lovely within Rook. A stunning complexity of adorned beauty and grace, it is able to slide through the speakers like so many notes tumbled from a page, like their namesake floating above the oceans whole. This album is sure to top many a best of list when the year wraps up. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars -- Lynne Angel, sfgay.org (Matador)
