Review Summary: Home is where the heart is
In some ways,
The Land, The Water, The Sky is a difficult album to pin down. Fusing dream pop, indie rock, folk, and slowcore in ways that invite comparison to a different plethora of better-known artists depending on the song, it’s a record which can easily be critiqued for a lack of distinctiveness. At the same time, Black Belt Eagle Scout (a “love it or hate it” artist moniker, if I’ve ever heard one) makes this formula work with strong execution and a compelling narrative.
More on the latter - this release was inspired by singer-songwriter Katherine Paul’s pandemic-era return to her native land, the Swinomish tribal areas in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a distinctive storyline, one that not only centers Paul’s heritage but also drenches the songs with a feeling of warmth, derived by tradition, family, and a sense of home, even during a rather bleak time in history.
The Land, The Water, The Sky is, for me, one of those records which sounds reliably “pretty good”, but a different moment emerges as the standout with every listen. The most obvious broad statements which can be made are that the guitar tone is pristine throughout and that, for a record which could be pigeonholed as “dream pop”, this is a rather energetic listen. The times when all comes together feel masterful, perhaps most obviously on “Blue”, a blissful number which brings the
shimmer before a great guitar solo rounds things out. The last two songs are also highlights, with “Spaces” fittingly incorporating the singing of both of Paul’s parents, and closer “Don’t Give Up” aspiring to the epic, mostly with success. Elsewhere, Black Belt Eagle Scout occasionally falls short, but those moments typically fall into the realm of “unremarkable” rather than truly lackluster.
I’m skeptical that too many people will be truly blown away by this album. On the flip side, it’s the kind of record which can be something for everyone. Want some mellow and dreamy tunes? Check. Want some nice guitar moments? Look no further. Want periodically melancholy but ultimately uplifting vibes?. Those are definitely here too. Sometimes captivating, always soothingly pleasant,
The Land, The Water, The Sky is an accessible effort which should appeal to a wide audience.
