Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The Clearing, North Carolina's Bowerbirds' third album, moves the band one broad step away from the rough-edged gothic ruralisms that characterized their first two full-lengths. The band and mood of the arrangements are the same -- an acoustic-leaning trio, strings -- but there is a far glossier edge to the proceedings. Once associated with the vague edge of the freak folk revival of the early- to mid-2000s, The Clearing places Bowerbirds squarely in a more considered place. On "Stich the Hem," hard hand percussion tapes and snare hits propel singer Philip Moore to a full-on indie rock explosion that blossoms into a bed of Beth Tacular's layered vocals while string swells gather in silvery pools beneath it all. For the most part -- as per usual -- there are few standard drum kits, but newfound drama and modern propulsion are everywhere. It's not quite a rock & roll backbeat, but the muted thump and minor chords that pulse behind the first verses of "In the Yard" and "Stitch the Hem" owe far more to Radiohead than Dock Boggs. And, for the most part, Bowerbirds are a better band for it, their sometimes winding songs seeming more taut than ever. The lyrics and general textures of the work remain as earthy as ever, swarming natural forces flowing in and out of their metaphors (and potential descriptors for the music) like rivers. But these are no campfire songs, if ever Bowerbirds even aspired to that. Rather, they are well-considered and emotional slabs of art-folk that owe Van Dyke Parks, the Weavers, and anybody else who sang lines like the title lyric of "Walk the Furrows," to audiences who wouldn't necessarily recognize a furrow if they tripped on one and fell in. Nearly all the tracks build to rousing, rock-like finales. But it is a far-away and lustrous America that Bowerbirds invite their listeners to, one where pyres burn in the yard ("This Year") and people elegantly consider their life problems as weighted branches ("Sweet Moment") -- one as far away as the crow flies.
© Jesse Jarnow /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr133,33/month
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Bowerbirds, Artist, MainArtist
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Album review
The Clearing, North Carolina's Bowerbirds' third album, moves the band one broad step away from the rough-edged gothic ruralisms that characterized their first two full-lengths. The band and mood of the arrangements are the same -- an acoustic-leaning trio, strings -- but there is a far glossier edge to the proceedings. Once associated with the vague edge of the freak folk revival of the early- to mid-2000s, The Clearing places Bowerbirds squarely in a more considered place. On "Stich the Hem," hard hand percussion tapes and snare hits propel singer Philip Moore to a full-on indie rock explosion that blossoms into a bed of Beth Tacular's layered vocals while string swells gather in silvery pools beneath it all. For the most part -- as per usual -- there are few standard drum kits, but newfound drama and modern propulsion are everywhere. It's not quite a rock & roll backbeat, but the muted thump and minor chords that pulse behind the first verses of "In the Yard" and "Stitch the Hem" owe far more to Radiohead than Dock Boggs. And, for the most part, Bowerbirds are a better band for it, their sometimes winding songs seeming more taut than ever. The lyrics and general textures of the work remain as earthy as ever, swarming natural forces flowing in and out of their metaphors (and potential descriptors for the music) like rivers. But these are no campfire songs, if ever Bowerbirds even aspired to that. Rather, they are well-considered and emotional slabs of art-folk that owe Van Dyke Parks, the Weavers, and anybody else who sang lines like the title lyric of "Walk the Furrows," to audiences who wouldn't necessarily recognize a furrow if they tripped on one and fell in. Nearly all the tracks build to rousing, rock-like finales. But it is a far-away and lustrous America that Bowerbirds invite their listeners to, one where pyres burn in the yard ("This Year") and people elegantly consider their life problems as weighted branches ("Sweet Moment") -- one as far away as the crow flies.
© Jesse Jarnow /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:46:02
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Bowerbirds
- Label: Dead Oceans
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
2012 Dead Oceans 2012 Dead Oceans
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.