filterD Event Of The Week: Great Lakes Swimmers

Toronto’s Great Lakes Swimmers run the emotional spectrum from heartache to heartbreak.

Drenched in reverb and boasting luminous melodies that evoke such artists as Nick Drake, Emmy Lou Harris, and Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol),  leade singer Sam Beam’s hushed vocals stretch into tender pleading but can explode with a Jeff Buckley-like wail.

The band’s incredibly talented musicians channel the same kind of stark, melancholy atmosphere you’d find in My Morning Jacket or The Reindeer Section, but with a pristibe clarity that refuses to smotherBean’s knowing lyrics.

The song subjects aren’t exactly all diasies and pie. With titles like”Concrete Heart,”  “The Man With No Skin,” and  “I Will Never See the Sun,” it’s pretty obvious what you’re getting into. If only The Ark were a bit more of a joint, you could drown your sorrows over a pint or twelve while soaking up GSL’s tailor-made soundtrack for your misery.

Tickets are $12. The Ark is located at 316 South Main Street  in downtown Ann Arbor.

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