Some bands/musicians reach a point where they have generated enough attention with their music that when they put out a new album it pushes them to exponentially increased fame (as Malcolm Gladwell would say a “tipping point”). The solid group of fans they have formed and the hard work from previous tours makes it almost unstoppable for them to not garner significant more attention with their next album. Often the assumption then follows that said new album contains the best music to date by this band, but often this is not the case. I feel this applies to the latest album by the Great Lake Swimmers, Lost Channels.
Do not get me wrong the latest Great Lake Swimmers album is full of worthwhile listens with Tony Dekkers’ luminous voice leading the band through well built folk songs. But this album misses a song which can carry the album (or as the music industry calls it a single). ‘Pulling on a line’ was put out as the single for this their 4th album but for me it (and any other song on the album) doesn’t hold a candle to some of their other great hits; ‘Your Rocky Spine’ and ‘Passenger Song’ from Ongiara, ‘Moving Pictures Silent Films’ from Great Lake Swimmers and ‘I Saw You In The Wild’ from Bodies and Minds. I take a lot more enjoyment out of these albums, especially Ongiara. I know these past albums drew some attention but I feel that GLS has gotten more praise for this album than previously; with a Polaris Prize Shortlist nomination and attention from down south (see this NPR video).
Nonetheless, I love their old albums and Dekkers voice and therefore they deserve all the praise they can get. Unfortunately sometimes the industry gives recognition at the wrong time, possibly based on cumulative work. They have been one of the named bands to be showing up at Whistler for the Olympics and I look forward to seeing them again. Also check out this Camera Music video of 'Your Rocky Spine', my favorite song and a cool setup here.
