Great Lake Swimmers return with a holiday EP titled, They Don’t Make Them Like That Anymore. A four track Christmas themed EP that contains two new songs and two traditional Christmas songs. This Canadian band has a relaxed melodic pop folk-rock vibe. The band is lead by singer-songwriter Tony Dekker and this EP will offer a refreshing deviation from the over-hyped, mainstream offerings currently flooding the holiday music scene. Sometimes melancholy, but extremely beautiful and Dekker’s voice has a soothing quality about it that is very pleasant. They Don’t Make Them Like That Anymore is an album for quiet nostalgia-tinged times, when thinking about the true meaning of Christmas, before thoughtless consumerism. The EP also brings to light the importance of the memories of those we’ve lost over the years and to remember them in our big family gatherings too. That’s the short of it!
Positives:
The two originals have beautiful lyrics and haunting vocal harmonies. The two traditional Christmas carols, “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” (dating from 1849) and “Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabel” (dating from the 17th Century) are presented with much care to detail and keep things simple, to good effect.
Bottom Line:
An EP that focuses on the more reflective moments of the Holidays. Dekker’s voice is wonderful to listen to and his songwriting is even better. The four songs will highlight that there are other routes to achieve a Merry Christmas than gifts and good cheer. With strong melodies and beautiful singing and instrumentation, Great Lake Swimmers will surprise you with gifts of quiet reflection during the mainstream buying frenzy. Here they present minimal, acoustic based songs that will bring hope and warm feelings into your heart and a catchy melody to your lips.