Canadian folk-pop mainstays Great Lake Swimmers are set to unveil their new LP A Forest of Arms, and Exclaim! has got your first listen.
As previously reported, the new material was recorded over numerous sessions at various locations. Following up 2012's New Wild Everywhere, which marked a departure for the band and saw them record in a formal studio setting, A Forest of Arms got the band back out in the great outdoors.
Some tracks, including the previously heard "Don't Leave Me Hanging," were recorded inside Ontario's Tyendinaga Cavern and Caves. The band bring nature inside thematically, as well, on tracks like opener "Something Like a Storm," "A Jukebox in a Desert of Snow," "The Great Bear," and most literally, "A Bird Flew Inside the House."
Sonically, the album carries on the Great Lake Swimmer's cherished blend of folk and orchestral indie pop. Gorgeous strings shine through on tracks like "Zero in the City" and "With Every Departure," and while acoustic guitar-driven gems like "Shaking All Over" and "Expecting You" abound, the group play with percussion patterns, piano and string arrangements to keep the listener interested.
A Forest of Arms officially arrives on April 21 via Nettwerk Records, but you can give it an early listen right now in the player below.
Tour dates:
04/15 London, ON - Aeolian Performing Arts
04/16 London, ON - Aeolian Performing Arts
04/17 Wakefield, QC - The Blacksheep Inn
04/18 Wakefield, QC - The Blacksheep Inn
04/23 Toronto, ON - The Randolph Theatre
04/24 Toronto, ON - The Randolph Theatre
04/29 Burlington VT - Signal Kitchen
04/30 Northampton MA - The Parlour
05/01 Portsmouth NH - The Music Hall
05/02 Boston MA - The Sinclair
05/04 Brooklyn NY - The Music Hall of Williamsburg
05/06 Philadelphia PA - Johnny Brenda's
05/07 Washington DC - Rock n' Roll Hotel
05/08 Carrboro NC - The Arts Centre
05/09 Asheville NC - The Grey Eagle
05/10 Louisville KY - Zanzabar
05/12 Indianapolis IN - The Hi-Fi
05/13 Newport KY - The Southgate House Revival
05/14 Cleveland OH - Beachland Tavern
05/15 Detroit MI - The Majestic Lounge
05/16 Buffalo NY - Tralf Music Hall
05/22 Sault Ste. Marie ON - Loplops
05/23 Thunder Bay ON - Crocks *
05/25 Winnipeg MB - West End Cultural Centre *
05/26 Regina SK - The Exchange *
05/27 Saskatoon SK - Broadway Theatre *
05/29 Edmonton AB - Royal Albert Museum Theatre *
05/30 Calgary AB - Central United Church *
05/31 Cranbrook BC - The Key City Theatre *
06/01 Nelson BC - Civic Theatre *
06/03 Victoria BC - Alix Goolden Hall *
06/04 Vancouver BC - Vogue Theatre *
* with the Weather Station
As previously reported, the new material was recorded over numerous sessions at various locations. Following up 2012's New Wild Everywhere, which marked a departure for the band and saw them record in a formal studio setting, A Forest of Arms got the band back out in the great outdoors.
Some tracks, including the previously heard "Don't Leave Me Hanging," were recorded inside Ontario's Tyendinaga Cavern and Caves. The band bring nature inside thematically, as well, on tracks like opener "Something Like a Storm," "A Jukebox in a Desert of Snow," "The Great Bear," and most literally, "A Bird Flew Inside the House."
Sonically, the album carries on the Great Lake Swimmer's cherished blend of folk and orchestral indie pop. Gorgeous strings shine through on tracks like "Zero in the City" and "With Every Departure," and while acoustic guitar-driven gems like "Shaking All Over" and "Expecting You" abound, the group play with percussion patterns, piano and string arrangements to keep the listener interested.
A Forest of Arms officially arrives on April 21 via Nettwerk Records, but you can give it an early listen right now in the player below.
Tour dates:
04/15 London, ON - Aeolian Performing Arts
04/16 London, ON - Aeolian Performing Arts
04/17 Wakefield, QC - The Blacksheep Inn
04/18 Wakefield, QC - The Blacksheep Inn
04/23 Toronto, ON - The Randolph Theatre
04/24 Toronto, ON - The Randolph Theatre
04/29 Burlington VT - Signal Kitchen
04/30 Northampton MA - The Parlour
05/01 Portsmouth NH - The Music Hall
05/02 Boston MA - The Sinclair
05/04 Brooklyn NY - The Music Hall of Williamsburg
05/06 Philadelphia PA - Johnny Brenda's
05/07 Washington DC - Rock n' Roll Hotel
05/08 Carrboro NC - The Arts Centre
05/09 Asheville NC - The Grey Eagle
05/10 Louisville KY - Zanzabar
05/12 Indianapolis IN - The Hi-Fi
05/13 Newport KY - The Southgate House Revival
05/14 Cleveland OH - Beachland Tavern
05/15 Detroit MI - The Majestic Lounge
05/16 Buffalo NY - Tralf Music Hall
05/22 Sault Ste. Marie ON - Loplops
05/23 Thunder Bay ON - Crocks *
05/25 Winnipeg MB - West End Cultural Centre *
05/26 Regina SK - The Exchange *
05/27 Saskatoon SK - Broadway Theatre *
05/29 Edmonton AB - Royal Albert Museum Theatre *
05/30 Calgary AB - Central United Church *
05/31 Cranbrook BC - The Key City Theatre *
06/01 Nelson BC - Civic Theatre *
06/03 Victoria BC - Alix Goolden Hall *
06/04 Vancouver BC - Vogue Theatre *
* with the Weather Station
