MATTHEW STEFANSON
Arts Writer

Said the Whale’s sophomore album, Islands Disappear, is a mix of sea shanty and rock anthem that should be pleasant for old and new fans alike.

The record is a diversion from their previous album, Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia, in terms of both sound and theme. Whether or not this is a good thing is up to interpretation.

The sophomore curse is a big concern for musicians, especially ones whose fan base is populated by the extremely transient and fickle Internet community, so it was brave of the band to experiment as much as they did. Their previous album was full of whimsical lyrics, charming innocence and truly touching love songs. Their latest album, however, sounds more like an oral history of the band, their hometown of Vancouver and their country.

Songs like “Out on the Shield” roughly outline the history of Canadian settlement. “We never meant to stay here,” reads the opening line. “We were here for the gold.”

Despite their foray into history, the band has maintained their devotion to crafting delightful and occasionally touching songs, like the very sweet lullaby, “Goodnight Moon” which I’m sure will be lulling children to sleep in many an indie household this year.

Their ability to compose driving rock songs has remained intact as well. They can craft a hook as well as they ever have. Where they have changed, however, is in the major influences of their music. Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia was a pretty textbook rock album — an exemplary one maybe, but still fairly formulaic. In Islands Disappear they mix in strains of more traditional Gaelic sounds. An errant mandolin can be heard under the vocals in a few of the songs on the album and it works to great effect.

The album is very different from the band’s first recording and most of the changes serve to make it a deeper experience. The real curse of the sophomore album is that people are surprised and scared by any change. But upon a second or third listen, it becomes clear that Islands Disappear is just as great an album as Said the Whale’s first release.