Released 10 years ago
Jet Plane and Oxbow
Shearwater · 2016
52 min · 11 tracks · folk music
Ethereal melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a haunting soundscape that captures the essence of longing and reflection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Quiet Americans — This track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of modern disconnection, with its poignant lyrics and haunting melody creating a sense of urgency and introspection.
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Wildlife in America — Here, the lyrics reflect on ecological themes while maintaining an emotional core, illustrating the duality of hope and despair that runs throughout the album.
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Pale Kings — With its sweeping instrumentation and reflective lyrics, this track serves as a centerpiece that highlights the album’s intricate arrangements and the weight of its subject matter.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features intricate compositions and strong production, though it may not have widespread recognition.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually in intensity, while the second half introduces more subdued and reflective pieces.
- Many songs utilize layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, often with one voice leading and others providing ethereal support.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats for more fluid arrangements.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- haunting melodies for introspection
- reflective moments of solitude
- patient builds with emotional weight
- longing themes for quiet evenings
- immersive soundscapes for deep focus
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- prefer immediate, catchy gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Jet Plane and Oxbow' was released in January 2016, Shearwater was already an established act, building on their previous work with 'Fellow Travelers' from 2013. This album marked a return to original material, showcasing a more refined sound as frontman Jonathan Meiburg navigated themes of personal and political significance.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· The National· Iron & Wine
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Prime 3:38
- 2 Quiet Americans 3:33
- 3 A Long Time Away 4:13
- 4 Backchannels 4:45
- 5 Filaments 6:12
- 6 Pale Kings 4:12
- 7 Only Child 4:29
- 8 Glass Bones 3:39
- 9 Wildlife in America 5:09
- 10 Radio Silence 6:39
- 11 Stray Light at Clouds Hill 5:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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