Music Snitch

I don’t remember the last time I was this excited about a Tuesday!  Typically, on new album Tuesdays, I see the list of albums being released and there is one, maybe two that catch my interest.  So for me, this Tuesday, September 22nd, is as rare as an obese chihuahua with a crooked tail and one testicle (oh, Lee Lee Cas Cas). As if Blood Memory wasn’t enough…

New Releases: September 22nd
– Forget The Night Ahead from The Twilight Sad
– Monsters Of Folk from Monsters Of Folk
– Daisy from Brand New
– White Water, White Bloom from Sea Wolf
– Blood Memory from Birdmonster
– New Leaves from Owen

Alex Brown Church is back with Sea Wolf’s sophomore album, ‘White Water, White Bloom’, which is set for a September 22nd release courtesy of Dangerbird Records. I was immediately taken with Church after listening to Sea Wolf’s debut album, ‘Leaves In The River’ but I was even more impressed with the band after seeing them live.

Although it is certainly charming, I am not overly excited by Sea Wolf’s latest track, ‘Stanislaus’, which is offered as a bonus track on the vinyl version of ‘White Water, White Bloom’.  That being said, I am still looking forward to hearing the album in its entirety.

Take A Listen: Stanislaus by Sea Wolf

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Download: Stanislaus (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

Check out Sea Wolf’s upcoming  tour dates.

This bands moniker includes reference to a wild and ferocious beast, however, their music is rather tame and relates more to the book in which their name is seemingly derived from. “Sea Wolf” by Jack London depicts a man with money from San Francisco who is rescued at sea and forced to become a crew member on a ship. Like the book, this album, Leaves In The River, portrays a tale of survival, love and obstacles.

Sea Wolf successfully recites the stories behind each song’s birth, whether it’s through Alex B. Church’s calm deliveries or the rumblings of a snare. In true indie rock folk fashion, the album, Leaves In The River, might play your initial perception for a fool. The sweet serenades are not always as lighthearted as they sound because Sea Wolf’s lyrics are rather remorseful. “It may be true that I lied/Broke a promise that I’d try/But my heart no longer beats/ My blood makes/Black dirt under your feet.” The instrumental arrangements combined with a steady pace, create a haunting, yet non-threatening theme that looms over the album like a persistent summer drizzle. One of Sea Wolf’s greatest strengths is their ability to come out swinging on a track, just take a listen to “Winter Windows” and “You’re A Wolf” for the undeniable evidence. Leaves In The River is able to paint a vivid picture, one of which often relies on nature, heartache and self-introspection. Sea Wolf is an ideal companion for the lonely souls who find comfort in rehashing defining moments in their life when a knife was twisted a little bit too deep. Stand Out Tracks: Winter Windows, You’re A Wolf, Song For The Dead

Sea Wolf’s WebSite

(Photo not taken by M.Snitch)

Only being acquainted with Sea Wolf’s music for a few days prior to attending their concert, I was not exactly sure what to expect…little did I know what a treat I was in for. First off, the vibe that was flowing from the stage was near impossible to resist and it sucked me in like a vacuum to a crumb. On the way to the venue I figured Sea Wolf would be a mellow live show that if best would resemble their recorded sound, boy was I mistaken.

Sea Wolf is definitely a band that can be better appreciated in a live setting. Their sound was funkier than the album hinted at and it seemed as if the band members were feeding off each other rather than simply going through the motions. The music coming out of the speakers tickled my groove button while at the same time soothed my inner anxiousness. Alex B. Church is a very unassuming frontman whose voice is tenderly alluring, especially with the sounds of a soft cello backing and cool keyboard stints. There were no flashing lights or bizarre antics but my attention was certainly fixated on that dimly lit stage and the fabulous musicians perched on it. Sea Wolf was a pleasant surprise and after seeing them live, the album sounds even better than before.