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Weird Dreams - Choreography (album)

Crocodiles - Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9) 7”

The Hairs - I’ve Been Working Out 7”

King Creosote and Jon Hopkins - Third Swan single

Cate Le Bon - Cyrk (album)

Tashaki Miyaki - sings the Everly Brothers 7”

Antony Harding - The Birds Sing Goodnight To You And Me (album)

Veronica Falls - My Heart Beats 7”

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Single/Download Review

Shearwater
Breaking The Yearlings Sub Pop

Article written by Kev W - Feb 23, 2012

It seems a strange move for Austin's ornithology-based indie-rockers Shearwater to mark the release of their new album 'Animal Joy' by picking 'Breaking The Yearlings' as its lead track. This is by no means a bad song, in fact it's quite the opposite, bringing with it an urgency that's been rare on their recordings so far. The jerky rhythm and thundering drums certainly add a sense of occasion, and that, surely, is the reason for pushing this song above others. They may also be taking this as an opportunity to send a message to detractors who've previously (and wrongly) described them as dull.

As decent as 'Breaking The Yearlings' is, it's slightly misleading. In shunning the rich tapestry they've woven on other tracks on the album (try 'You As You Were' or 'Animal Life' as prime examples) there's a slight sense that they've sold themselves short. Elsewhere things are allowed to soar as majestically as their name implies, giving a far greater sense of beauty. Get this single, it's enjoyable and it's free to download, but don't judge their latest full-length on the strength of this one track. If you dig a little deeper into 'Animal Joy' you'll reap far more satisfying rewards.