Released 20 years ago
Palo Santo
Shearwater · 2006
43 min · 11 tracks · folk music
Ethereal folk melodies intertwine with haunting lyrical imagery, creating a deeply immersive listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Palo Santo — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its lush instrumentation and introspective lyrics that explore themes of loss and longing.
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La Dame et La Licorne — This opening track sets the tone for the record with its sweeping melodies and vivid imagery, establishing Shearwater's unique sonic landscape.
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Failed Queen — This song features an intricate arrangement that combines orchestral elements with folk roots, showcasing the band's evolution and ambition on this album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends atmospheric arrangements with thoughtful lyrics, creating a unique yet cohesive experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually in intensity, while the second half shifts to more subdued and introspective pieces.
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich, atmospheric soundscape.
- The instrumentation often includes strings and subtle electronic elements, enhancing the ethereal quality of the melodies.
- 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- atmospheric background focus
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2006, Palo Santo marked Shearwater's fourth studio album and solidified their presence in the indie folk scene. The band had recently transitioned to a more expansive sound after their previous album, Winged Life, which showcased their ability to blend intricate instrumentation with poignant storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· The National· Iron & Wine
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 La Dame et La Licorne 5:19
- 2 Red Sea, Black Sea 2:58
- 3 White Waves 4:21
- 4 Palo Santo 3:48
- 5 Seventy-Four, Seventy-Five 3:21
- 6 Nobody 3:02
- 7 Sing, Little Birdie 3:10
- 8 Johnny Viola 2:30
- 9 Failed Queen 5:51
- 10 Hail, Mary 5:11
- 11 Going Is Song 3:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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