Sea Caves, Bright Forest (Self-Released)

A set of chamber-pop songs encompassing destruction and re-creation within the natural world.

By Hilary Saunders

[CHAMBER POP] Please, hold the Jethro Tull jokes. Sea Caves' bandleader Shiloh Halsey does indeed rock the flute, along with singing and playing guitar, but he integrates the classical instrumentation into his band with intention and finesse. Halsey formed the earliest incarnation of Sea Caves with singer-drummer Cameron Jones in 2004, and with last year's additions of keyboardist Seiji Nair and bassist Brian Nelson, the band now sounds like a group with depth and range. A set of chamber-pop songs encompassing destruction and re-creation within the natural world, Bright Forest showcases the filled-out band's ability to conjure harrowing visual soundscapes. Songs like the opening foursome of "Spanning the River," "Islands," "Birds" and "Winter" address this by name, but it's the truly terrifying imagery of foreboding natural disasters that impels songs like "Fault Lines." "Tall mountains thundered over/ As we all stumbled to the lake," Halsey sings. "The air was swift and sending messages and warnings to our heads." But while Halsey's lyrics showcase such vivid imagery, they're often difficult to decipher among all the instrumentation. It's easier to let his voice wash over you, becoming yet another instrument in the forest of sounds.

SEE IT: Sea Caves plays Doug Fir Lounge, 803 E Burnside St., with Old Wave and Jackson Boone & the Ocean Ghosts, on Thursday, Feb. 11. 9 pm. $6 advance, $8 day of show. 21+.

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