Music Review: 'Lost Channels' by The Great Lake Swimmers

By Danny Nordstrom

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Great Lake Swimmers’ latest release, Lost Channels, would be the perfect album for a summer getaway to a secluded cabin on an island in the middle of Lake Erie.

The music is relaxed alternative folk, comparable to Iron and Wine or Sufjan Stevens. Acoustic guitar and excellent lyrical work lay the foundation for each song, creating solid song structure and fantastic tone. For the most part, the album is slow and mellow. This isn’t a bad thing, though, as many of the slow ballads feature deep texture with the addition of electric guitar, mandolin and steel pedals.

“Pulling on a Line” is one of the faster songs on the album and is highlighted by an excellent chorus with smooth electric guitar played over a rhythmic mandolin. Also great is “The Chorus in the Underground,” the best song on the album. Its creative lyrics and fluid mandolin plucking accent an excellent folky rhythm played by an acoustic guitar. A laid-back violin also emphasizes the central melody nicely.

Overall, the album is filled with high quality music. It definitely takes a particular mood to enjoy the tranquility of the music, but when the time is right, Lost Channels is the perfect dose of chill folk music.

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