Shearwaters are medium-sized, long-winged birds, part of the family Procellariidae. Elegant even by avian standards, many of their ilk are long-distance migrants and long-lived. Their flight is remarkable in its gliding ease and grace, and the length of its migrations spans hemispheres. It’s rare to be able to see a shearwater from land, as they nest in remote locales and islands and spend the majority of their time over open water.

In light of all this, it’s not surprising that Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff chose to name their non-Okkervil River musical collaboration Shearwater (Meiburg is also an ornithologist).  Sheff’s role in the collaboration diminished over time and most recently, Meiburg left Okkervil River to make Shearwater all his own.  Their latest album, Rook, most fully realizes the musical equivalent of the band’s namesake.  Sweeping and awe-inspiring in its scope, soaring, elegant and effortless folk rock.  It also marks Shearwater’s strongest declaration of independence from Okkervil River’s shadow.

When I have a longer moment, I’ll make some more developed remarks on the album and maybe elevate it to Recommended status.  For now, chew on these bits of aural greatness and check out our interview with Jonathan from back in June when he played DC.

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MP3: Shearwater – Rooks

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MP3: Shearwater – Leviathan, Bound

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