Great Lake Swimmers

By Jennifer Trieu

A brand new gem of an album enters the ever-evolving world of Canadian folk music on Great Lake Swimmers’ latest work, Lost Channels. The Toronto-based band’s follow-up to 2007’s Ongiara showcases their consistent ability to create eclectic and creative sounds, successfully channeling beautiful images of Canadian landscapes and weaving earthy and poetic lyrics with emotive vocals and excellent instrumentation.


Lead singer Tony Dekker and keyboardist Julie Fader’s balanced harmonies on “Everything Is Moving So Fast,” the banjo and violin-infused “The Chorus In The Underground” and smooth and catchy guitar riffs on “Pulling On a Line” highlight the impressively broad range of sounds and instruments incorporated on Lost Channels. Dekker’s soft yet strong vocals on both “Concrete Heart” and “Stealing Tomorrow” ably express and explore love, life and the notion of time through song. A steady percussive beat on “River’s Edge” and intricate guitar picking on “Unison Falling Into Harmony” complement images of a beautifully-forceful and moving river and its quaint natural surroundings in both songs.


Great Lake Swimmers’ cleverly balance sweet and stellar organic sounds on their latest effort. Not only is Lost Channels an album worth listening to, but it is also an album that represents some of the best musical talent Canada has to offer.