The New World

Description

In a quarter of a century, Shearwater has quietly become one of the most unique and adventurous American bands. Led as always by singer-songwriter and naturalist Jonathan Meiburg, The New World brings together nine immersive songs that take the band further than ever, in rare company: alongside members Emily Lee and Dan Duszynski, the cast includes Shahzad Ismaily, saxophonist and clarinetist Doug Wieselman, qanun player Farouz Zriek, guitarist Leo Abrahams, ngoni player Mamadou Kouyate, percussionists Mahamadou Tounkara and Moctar Kouyate (from Ngoni Ba), and the unclassifiable drummer Thor Harris. Not to mention the surprise visit of a certain L. Anderson. All this fine company is not too much: each is the ideal companion for a journey through joy, confusion, reverence, and defiance, with Meiburg's voice as a graceful and elusive guide. Both stripped-down and ornamental, The New World is absorbing like few albums are — hard not to listen to it all the way through once you've entered.