Soundtrack of uncertain times
Said the Whale moves beyond its early years into a meditative state on new album
Vancouver trio Said the Whale has changed a lot over the course of its 12-year history. From the bouncy pop of hit singles such as Camilo or I Love You, the band has moved into increasingly introspective and mature subject matter lyrically and grown more lush and hushed with each release.
On its latest full length release Cascadia, Ben Worcester, Tyler Bancroft and Jaycelyn Brown are sounding more renewed than they did on 2017’s As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide. That can’t hide the fact that the album’s dozen tracks aren’t exactly feel-good party tunes.
The band has crafted a collection of songs that serve as a particularly prescient soundtrack to these times. Right down to the title, the album tries to be hopeful for the future, but there is a weight to the work that echoes the voices in the back of the heads of millennials (and the rest) facing uncertain futures.
Here are five things to know about the record: 1 UNAMERICAN
The debut single is a straight-ahead rocker that just screams radio, and it stands alone on this album. It’s louder, harder and more direct than any of the other material. Shout outs to the awesome video for the song, too. 2 “LOVE” SONGS
From the near-chanting of the chorus on Love Always to the hopeful positivity of Love Don’t Ask and many other points in the album’s lyrics, the band seems deeply focused on the variations of what love is, how it is shown and where it lands in respect to the passing of time. These are the concerns of artists who have moved beyond the wide-eyed excitement of the road, the stage and the studio and into a far more meditative mindset. The opener Wake Up, with its chantlike assertion “time makes all things fall together,” sets an album-long tone. 3 OLD SOUL, YOUNG HEART
A direct ode penned by Ben Worcester to thank labelmate and fellow Vancouver musician Dan Mangan for making art that moves him and connects to the audience. Honestly, it’s so good at channelling Mangan’s vibe that it could be performed by the man himself in concert. Hope that happens. 4 SHAME
A song about carrying shame withyouwhereveryougo due to past mistakes that is a pure honest declaration. Rather than being a downer, it winds up being absolutely liberating with a pounding, driving chorus that descends into almost vintage Beach Boys harmony vocals and soft waves of piano midway before fading off in the distance. This might be the best song on Cascadia. 5 GAMBIER ISLAND GREEN
There has always been a definite West Coast nautical narrative line in this band’s material, which makes complete sense given some members’ time spent on the water. The closing tune on Cascadia is an homage to the sheer physical beauty of “Gambier Island/Our roots spanning deep/Overflowing with love/With life, overflowing.” Lovely imagery in a soft, sensitive tune.
Said the Whale is on tour with Mother Mother across Canada.
The band plays Feb. 7, Orpheum Theatre. Tickets: Ticketmaster.
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