A Forest of Arms

Description

A Forest Of Arms is the sixth album by Great Lake Swimmers, following New Wild Everywhere, released in 2012. With crashing rhythms, razor-sharp violins, and flourishing banjo and guitar riffs, Tony Dekker and his cohorts have significantly evolved their sound, producing their most dynamic tracks. Those familiar with Great Lake Swimmers' output over the past decade will recognize the themes of the beauty of the natural world, environmental issues, and explorations of interpersonal connections. The theme of the familiar versus the strange is also very present on this album, both in the melodies and the lyrics ("Zero In The City", "I Was a Wayward Pastel Bay"). Like previous Great Lake Swimmers projects, A Forest Of Arms was recorded in different locations over several months, exploring new territories while remaining true to the band's refined sound. The most unique and original recording location was undoubtedly the Tyendinaga cave and cavern in Ontario, where the vocals and acoustic guitars, notably on the tracks "Don't Leave Me Hanging", "The Great Bear" and "With Every Departure", were recorded, amidst the stalactites and bats. The pastoral and authentic nature of the 2nd recording location (a cabin outside Toronto, deep in the forest, near the hills) thus shines through on the album. The title, A Forest Of Arms, is taken from the song "The Great Bear", inspired by a trip Tony Dekker took to British Columbia in September 2013 with the World Wildlife Fund. Several guests appear on the album, including Kevin Kane (Grapes of Wrath) on 12-string electric guitar, as well as on backing vocals for the track "A Bird Flew Inside The House". Album produced by Howie Beck (FEIST).