Doug Tielli’s solo debut is the result of a Thoreau like journey. All too often these adventures in solitude result in boozy epiphanies and first year psychological self evaluations, but for Tielli, the three month retreat allowed the talented song writer to embrace Thoreau’s most important philosophy. Simplify, simplify.
Tielli plays in countless extremely creative bands, and as a result, decisions are democratic and collaborative. Swan Sky Sea Squirrel is the vision of one man without the limitation of timelines or counterpoints. If something sounded good, Doug went with it. If it didn’t, he jettisoned the idea without repercussion or regret. In the end, Tielli developed eleven thoughts to connect the listener to his experiences.
Tielli disappeared from the smog and populous of Canada’s largest metropolis to find clarity, and without question Swan Sky Sea Squirrel was influenced by the setting as much as the solitude. Songs stretched to find sun and melodies ran freely. Arrangements – that are surprisingly diverse and full of interesting instrumentation – were nurtured and cultivated by their surrounding. Inspiration was unearthed, literally, with bare hands and feet, not born from beers, broken hearts and rushed to fit into pre-paid time in studios.
Retreating into seclusion for your art is not a new concept, but without question the experience enhanced Tielli’s work. Honesty, a term used too often in description, dominates this recording but is not as important as the conviction with which Doug sings. There is no fear as he explores his inner demons and exposes his most heightened emotions. This is a stark, rewarding listen, one that is as much for Doug as anyone that may take the time to listen.
There are moments of beauty and the gentle warmth of the morning sun, but Tielli doesn’t glamorize the experience or hide the cold nights. He hints at torment and pain as openly as he does of the enchantment of the never ending forests, calming ravines and openness. “Squirrel Tips” and “Santia” contrast the calming nature of the experience nicely, accurately portraying the seclusion instead of romanticizing it.
Ultimately, this is an incredibly personal record, one that will connect with different listeners for different reasons and alienate those unwilling to embrace Tielli’s experiences. It speaks in a hushed tone, but as Thoreau once said, “generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler that does the howling.” Swan Sky Sea Squirrel doesn’t bark at the moon to show dominance. It walks quietly amongst the wildlife to show it belongs.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3:: Doug Tielli – Riversea
WEB:: http://www.blocksblocksblocks.com/artists/doug-tielli/