Great Lake Swimmers
Lost Channels

Review By Matt Conner

Of course there are exceptions to this, but Lost Channels suggests Tony Dekker has found more happiness in the great outdoors than ever before. Great Lake Swimmers’ folk artistry has long depended on the rural landscapes of Dekker’s youth or the Canadian Rockies for its musical mountains and valleys. But a new freedom and release is found on Lost Channels, giving a sweeter spirit to the band’s repertoire. “Pulling On A Line” and “The Chorus in the Underground” step out onto the front porch and beckon their rustic neighbors to join in a good sing-along. Concise and straightforward, “Palmistry” and “Still” reveal Dekker toying with traditional pop structures. Even the somber “Concrete Heart” invites a lilting piano progression mid-stride that charms its way upward. The results can be mixed, but Great Lake Swimmers seem ready for a larger audience for their efforts. It’s hardly something to fault an artist for wanting.