Sea Wolf live review
Sea Wolf
Where: Samueli Theater, Orange County Performing Arts Center
When: Jan. 24
For the past few months, I’ve read plenty of raves about a new Silverlake band called Sea Wolf. But I didn’t get to hear marvelous 2007 debut CD “Leaves in the River” (Dangerbird) until recently. Wish I had; the album would’ve definitely made my year-end Top 20. It’s that strong.
Led by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Alex Church (astute L.A. indie rock followers might recognize him as the bassist for Irving), the group makes hypnotic chamber pop with a literary bent. No surprise there – the name was taken from a Jack London novel.
Sea Wolf helped launch the new Off Center series last Thursday with a rapturous 45-minute set in Costa Mesa. The six-piece band included a cellist and keyboardist. They added vibrant colors to Church’s picturesque lyrics about gypsy women, sprinters and nature. Fans of England’s equally masterful Ed Harcourt, Arcade Fire, not to mention co-producer Phil Ek’s previous clients (The Shins, Band of Horses), should dig the music straight away.
Standouts at the Samueli included “Winter Windows,” “The Rose Captain” (I believe an obscure instrument called a marxophone was used), local radio fave “You’re a Wolf” (the chatty audience perked up upon the initial strains) and the insistent acoustic guitar strum of concert closer “Black Dirt.” Can’t wait to see them again.