Sawak is a group consisting of two Americans, an Italian and an Irishman (Antonello Perfetto, Shaun O’Neill, Bogdan Markiewicz, and Greg Nieuwsma) who have gotten together in Poland (because, why not?) to create “The Bells.” Based on the makeup of the band, perhaps it makes sense that their inspirations for this album also come from quite the variety of sources – whether it’s poetry (Walt Whitman on “O Captain”), religion (Hindu text on “Swaminarayan”), history/geography (“Jarosław”), or music theory (“Ways of Hearing” by Damon Krukowski on “Digital Love”).
There are some great songs here. “O Captain” is actually the Whitman poem “O Captain! My Captain!” interpreted through dramatic music. “Me Too” could have been a hit for someone like The Blue Aeroplanes. Oh, and did I already mention the numerous inspirations for this record? How about another one with “Ethiology,” based on an Ethopian music scale; it sounds like it was recorded live and has a nice post rock vibe. And closer “Swaminarayan” would have felt right at home on an album by the band Live.
As I look at the cover art (a bride and groom?) and think of the title (“The Bells”) maybe this album is all about wedding disparate influences into a really first-rate collection of songs that, at its core, is all Sawak. And that’s a good enough explanation for me.