The EP format is good for showcasing a new artist, but only if it accomplishes two things: 1.) a taste of what an artist could possibly muster given a full record, and 2.) a taunting sense of longing. Los Angeles based artist, and Dangerbird Records label artist Sea Wolf achieves both of these feats – with relative ease.
Sea Wolf is headed by Alex Brown Church on vocals and guitars, featuring a revolving door of artists, expanding to more than ten part time performers. In spite of the size, the resultant sounds are relatively small. From the opening track, “You’re A Wolf”, a hazy, ponderous rock/story narrative about gypsies with wine stained lips, the clear drive is toward careful, powerful harmonies. The same can be said of “The Garden that You Planted”, a piece still casual, but capturing more longing; even the more upbeat “I Made A Resolution” feels as though it was penned from a position of repose. Each song possesses a penchant for confession, revelation, and most importantly, the restrain to craft simple songs from what works. A lesser band would exploit its personnel for a bigger, less attainable sound. Not Sea Wolf.
In the end, the five songs here are shining examples of where Sea Wolf might be headed. These are indie-pop rock gems fitting of Iron & Wine, Calexico, or perhaps small-core luminaries like Vancouver’s, Shapes and Sizes or Belle and Sebastian. The songs possess a casual, master’s grasp of songwriting, a realization that is both a temptation and tease. |