From a group of five exceptionally tight and musically diverse group of folk musicians comes the poignant mellifluous melodies of Seafarers. On II, the group have reunited to deliver a ten track collection that has both the listener and the song-writer introspecting, opening up, and striking an emotional resonance that’s incredibly hard to craft. There’s a wonderful eclecticism to the group, a marked stylistic array of choices and sounds that they’re able to seamlessly integrate and make work with another. Folk definitely forms the bedrock of their sound. Rather quaint and touching melodies that stand supple and unimposing are accompanied by a slew of more pop elements that give it a slight elevation, a more enhanced experience that feels modern but wonderfully nostalgic.
The record opens with perhaps its strongest track. ‘ A Disappearing Act’ so effortlessly blends together everything that makes the Seafarers who they are. The opener is brought alive by wonderful combination of pop and folk, a smart and measured progression that builds with clear highs and lows, and a flourishing close that brings it all to a pointed closure. ‘Good Beginners’ feels like it’s going to hit a stupendous high, but manages to keep you at the edge of your seat with a simple key riff that has you at the edge of your seat but completely swooned by the melody. I’ll also highlight some of the more morose pieces on the record like ‘You Can’t Pretend in the Dark’. The quiet and melancholic ballad shows the variety in feeling and mood that this group can bring out. Consistently, the vocal performances never disappoint. A perfectly balanced and delivered falsetto, is at its best on the chorus line on this ballad.
Able to go from summery and spritely to haunting and melancholic, Seafarers are a landmark folk group who’s latest record is well worth any folk enthusiasts time.