Pop/Rock - One of the more pleasant surprises of 2007 was the brilliant debut album Leaves In the River from singer/songwriter Alex Brown Church, aka Sea Wolf. It's not often that an artist appears to arrive fully formed, but Church, having kicked around in L.A. for a few years with a band in the late 90's, stepped into the spotlight with a fistful of excellent, well-crafted songs and a singular sense of knowing exactly what his musical vision entailed. River was both personal and poetic, with exceptional literary visual imagery, and the album received glowing reviews.

New White Water, White Bloom, recorded at Mike Mogus' (Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk) Omaha studio, expands Church's sound while retaining the best elements of his evocative compositions. "I wanted it to be bigger, with a band feel," he reflects, "rather than another series of intimate confessionals.” Adding to that larger sense of authority is Church himself, his vocals taking on a fuller, more forceful urgency and giving the album - recorded with his touring band - a more propulsive punch. Lead track "Wicked Blood" exemplifies the heavier horsepower: beginning with a building orchestral base the track suddenly takes off with a relentless drum beat,  pounding piano and full band throttle kick. Highly recommended.

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Sea Wolf - "Wicked Blood" (from the album White Water, White Bloom)

Sea Wolf - "Stanislaus" (bonus track from White Water, White Bloom sessions - download free here)