Shearwater - "Leviathan, Bound". The new record by Shearwater, Rook, is one of the best albums of the year. It takes their last LP's great leap forward and adds patience, confidence, daring. They are a band who recall Mark Hollis/late Talk Talk, Final Fantasy, Silver Mt. Zion and Radiohead's Amnesiac. Since Rook arrived in the mail a week ago, I've scarcely listened to anything else. "Leviathan, Bound" is a song with dulcimer instead of drums, glockenspiel instead of rainfall, strings instead of thunder. It's beautiful and terrifying. Like when the waters begin to rise; like when the ground begins to shake; like then the clouds come barrelling & black; like when the trees begin to weep; like when the light flashes in her eyes; like when a shout comes from her chest; like when you're at your piano, scared, and every key turns to grey. The apocalypses Shearwater sing are the kinds we already dream of, the ones we already hold in our hands. [buy]

Calico Horse - "Idioteque". A song can have the heart taken out of it, singing it slow & strange. But not here. Calico Horse keep Radiohead's disquiet, sip the same cups of nightshade. There's something even more sinister in "Idioteque" turned lullaby - what are you doing to me, as I fall asleep? what promises are you weaving into my lashes? [info]

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My May column in the National Post features songs by Sister Suvi, Au, Frightened Rabbit, Colourbook, Wolf Parade and Snailhouse.

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