Winged Life cover

Winged Life

Shearwater · 2004

52 min · 12 tracks · folk

Ethereal melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a hauntingly beautiful tapestry of sound.

Why this album works

'Winged Life' garnered attention for its melodic intricacies and emotional depth, receiving positive reviews from critics including Pitchfork. The album helped establish Shearwater as a formidable force in the indie folk genre, influencing subsequent artists seeking to blend folk sensibilities with more expansive arrangements.
Career context
Released in 2004, 'Winged Life' is Shearwater's third album and represents a significant evolution in their sound following their previous release, 'Palo Santo' in 2001. At this point in their career, the band was honing their unique blend of folk and art rock, solidifying their presence within the indie music scene.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 A Hush Standout 4:17
  • 2 My Good Deed Standout 5:52
  • 3 Whipping Boy 4:42
  • 4 The Kind 2:50
  • 5 A Makeover 5:00
  • 6 St. Mary’s Walk 3:15
  • 7 Wedding Bells Are Breaking Up That Old Gang of Mine 6:26
  • 8 (I’ve Got a) Right to Cry 3:38
  • 9 The World in 1984 Standout 3:01
  • 10 The Convert 2:45
  • 11 Sealed 3:48
  • 12 The Set Table 6:39

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata