Review: Great Lake Swimmers – Ongiara (or) freeze to spread skeleton wings

The latest (and third) full-length album from Great Lake Swimmers is called Ongiara and it is utterly fantastic. I loved their previous two albums, so this came as no surprise to me. Ongiara is full of ethereal rootsy indie-folk that revels as much in its relaxed atmospherics as it does in its haunting melodies. Front man Tony Dekker often sounds like a mellow Neil Young whose vocals are awash in an ocean of natural reverb.

There is also and alt-country flavor that permeates through Ongiara but never overwhelms it. It is a soft and hushed affair, but also a highly affecting album that (IMHO) has some gospel-like qualities as well. Almost like a spiritual journey deep into the Canadian wilderness up streams and rivers, past rocky outcroppings, and through the deepest pine forests. RIYL: Iron & Wine, Sun Kil Moon, lullaby songs, etc…

Ongiara is available now through iTunes here in the US but on an actual CD if you live elsewhere.

MP3 | Great Lake Swimmers – Catcher Son Ongiara
MP3 | Great Lake Swimmers – Changing Colours Ongiara

2 Responses

  1. Chip May 2, 2007 at 2:05 PM | | Reply

    Great write up on this band love the songs

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  2. Jesse a.k.a. The Vicar May 3, 2007 at 9:25 PM | | Reply

    Wow. These guys can really do no wrong. Great post!

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