Word: meiberg
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Formed in Austin, Texas, Shearwater are named after the graceful bird that inhabits several tropical islands. Co-founder Jonathon Meiberg, the singer, guitarist, and driving creative force behind the band, imbues his music with a romantic touch derived from his love of nature. His music overflows with emotion and spirituality, attempting to contrast nature’s purity to society’s artificiality...
...reminiscent of a prayer, greets the listener. This prologue segues into the first track, “Meridian,” which continues to be a testament to the group’s talent. Shearwater expertly create a rich texture through guitar and multiple percussive instruments, including bells, while Meiberg lyrically juxtaposes the peaceful ocean with violent warfare. Cymbal rushes wash powerfully over the listener, simultaneously invoking the sound of ocean waves and exploding bombs. The effect is powerful and thought-provoking, and if the rest of the album was as inspiring as the opening, Shearwater would have created...
...only do the songs lack variety, but the emotions of the album frequently feel forced. In particular, Meiberg strains his voice ad nauseum to create melodrama, manipulating his deep baritone to sound as though it comes from a heavy trance. While at times this is an asset, his voice becomes more and more affected as the album progresses, until it reaches an unbearable level of pretension. The zenith of Meiberg’s vocal affectation can be heard on “God Made Me,” where he abhorrently accentuates every note with an exaggerated swell...
Accompanying Meiberg’s affected voice are his equally affected lyrics. A particularly insufferable track is “Corridors,” which depicts a man being tortured by the man-made world. At the climax of the song, Meiberg screams out, “Chain him to the burning carousel / Till the horses tire / Blast away the bearings of his life / Till his eyes are wild / Till his eyes are white.” This violent imagery is the epitome of how appalling Meiberg’s hatred for the man-made can be. Yet his overbearing...