Owls of the Swamp - Go With River (25/05/2011)
To sum up the new album Go With River in one word, it can only be deemed as simply “nice”. A buttery blend of folk and indie inspired music, you’ll either love or laugh at Pete Uhlenbruch’s newest creation.
The lyrics are brimming with metaphorical verses and beautiful analogies that make the album a pleasure to listen to. Admittedly, however, what would be deemed as the lyrical norm for this genre of music would raise the collective eyebrow of listeners of more mainstream music. Uhlenbruch sings of sitting next to the moon and the river’s knowledge being rather vast (do go on, Pete…). Although artistic and thoughtful, it is definitely not for those with closed minds or an exclusive music taste.
Pair interesting lyrics with an overall flowing yet slow pace; it can be hard for unaccustomed listeners to grow fond of the album. As one friend says, “I nearly fell asleep at the wheel and drove into oncoming traffic. If I crashed into a pole I’d probably find the termites talking to me”. If you struggle to handle the unique traits of Angus & Julia Stone, then you’ll find it close to impossible to appreciate the intricacies of Go With River.
A piece of advice when listening to this album – be patient. First impressions may tell you the majority of the songs are too similar to give the album much diversity. It will seem chordal progressions and acoustic guitar-picking rhythms are almost the exact same in each song (namely Stones and Bones, By the Riverside and Walking Song). But I urge you, dear reader, to delve into this reflection of Uhlenbruch’s mind – you will not be disappointed. Just as anybody has a different persona under his or her daily façade, so does Go with River hold depth under its simple exterior.
With guest performances from the likes of Aluka, Ellen Kibble, Mick Hazelman and other local and international artists, this album has a lot to offer. Uhlenbruch brings in piano and strings to accompany his smooth voice and sophisticated finger picking, creating nothing less than a splendid conglomeration of very personal thoughts and experiences. Singing of the beauty of nature and the mystery of the beyond, this album’s strengths really do outweigh its weaknesses.
Olivia Fusca
The lyrics are brimming with metaphorical verses and beautiful analogies that make the album a pleasure to listen to. Admittedly, however, what would be deemed as the lyrical norm for this genre of music would raise the collective eyebrow of listeners of more mainstream music. Uhlenbruch sings of sitting next to the moon and the river’s knowledge being rather vast (do go on, Pete…). Although artistic and thoughtful, it is definitely not for those with closed minds or an exclusive music taste.
Pair interesting lyrics with an overall flowing yet slow pace; it can be hard for unaccustomed listeners to grow fond of the album. As one friend says, “I nearly fell asleep at the wheel and drove into oncoming traffic. If I crashed into a pole I’d probably find the termites talking to me”. If you struggle to handle the unique traits of Angus & Julia Stone, then you’ll find it close to impossible to appreciate the intricacies of Go With River.
A piece of advice when listening to this album – be patient. First impressions may tell you the majority of the songs are too similar to give the album much diversity. It will seem chordal progressions and acoustic guitar-picking rhythms are almost the exact same in each song (namely Stones and Bones, By the Riverside and Walking Song). But I urge you, dear reader, to delve into this reflection of Uhlenbruch’s mind – you will not be disappointed. Just as anybody has a different persona under his or her daily façade, so does Go with River hold depth under its simple exterior.
With guest performances from the likes of Aluka, Ellen Kibble, Mick Hazelman and other local and international artists, this album has a lot to offer. Uhlenbruch brings in piano and strings to accompany his smooth voice and sophisticated finger picking, creating nothing less than a splendid conglomeration of very personal thoughts and experiences. Singing of the beauty of nature and the mystery of the beyond, this album’s strengths really do outweigh its weaknesses.
Olivia Fusca