A Forest of Arms
Great Lake Swimmers · 2015
40 min · 12 tracks · folk rock
A delicate blend of introspective folk melodies and evocative storytelling, painting vivid landscapes of emotion and connection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Something Like a Storm — This opening track encapsulates the album's themes of change and uncertainty through its haunting melodies and reflective lyrics, setting the tone for what follows.
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Shaking All Over — A cover that breathes new life into the classic, this track showcases the band's ability to reinterpret familiar songs while imbuing them with their distinct style.
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A Bird Flew Inside the House — This song captures a moment of vulnerability and introspection, highlighting the band's strength in creating intimate narratives that resonate deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and cohesive storytelling, supported by rich arrangements.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a gentle acoustic guitar riff that sets a reflective tone, which is maintained through the first half of the record.
- Several tracks feature layered harmonies and subtle instrumentation, creating a lush soundscape that enhances the storytelling.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective storytelling with warmth
- evocative melodies for quiet moments
- short tracks for easy listening
- delicate sounds for reflective moods
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy music
- want heavy, driving beats
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'A Forest of Arms' was released in 2015, Great Lake Swimmers were well-established within the Canadian folk rock scene, having released four previous albums. This album followed their critically acclaimed record 'New Wild Everywhere' from 2012, showcasing a continued evolution in their sound while maintaining their signature lyrical depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Iron & Wine· Sufjan Stevens· Fleet Foxes
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Must Have Someone Else’s Blues
The moment shifts from personal reflection to addressing broader societal issues, revealing an unexpected depth in the narrative.
This transition adds layers to the song's emotional landscape, elevating it from a personal lament to a commentary on collective experiences.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Something Like a Storm 3:14
- 2 Zero in the City 3:05
- 3 Shaking All Over 3:50
- 4 Don’t Leave Me Hanging 3:12
- 5 One More Charge at the Red Cape 3:10
- 6 I Was a Wayward Pastel Bay 3:15
- 7 A Bird Flew Inside the House 2:47
- 8 A Jukebox in a Desert of Snow 3:39
- 9 I Must Have Someone Else’s Blues 3:12
- 10 The Great Bear 4:17
- 11 With Every Departure 3:14
- 12 Expecting You 3:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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