Society of the Silver Cross’ husband and wife team Joe and Karyn Reineke’s unique blend of world music, folk, electronic, and storytelling influences returns after a five-year hiatus with the single “Wife of the Sea”. Their collaboration with TJ Cowgill, aka King Dude, highlights the new single, the first volume in their series of Temple Hymns. His outstanding and highly theatrical vocal style works well with the cinematic yet substantive nature of Society’s music. Those filmic qualities of their songwriting are a crucial part of what they do. It is not difficult to imagine “Wife of the Sea” as part of an epic movie soundtrack despite the dark inclinations pervading much of the composition. The haunting lyrics and sonic landscape of this new single clearly serve as notice that Society of the Silver Cross is returning to action in an impressive way.
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The lyrics deserve considerable credit for making it an impactful return. You cannot underplay the storytelling acumen on display throughout “Wife of the Sea”, and the unwavering control exhibited in the writing. It never flounders under the weight of wasted words, and the unswerving narrative direction of the work does not suffer any from the open-ended interpretation listeners can arrive at hearing the cut. The words and storytelling hail from an established tradition while demonstrating an ample sense of identity.
The same sense of identity is present in Cowgill’s vocals. King Dude moves through the verses and chorus of this song like a half-hushed wraith whose dark presence infuses “Wife of the Sea” with a sense of character essential for the track’s success. It’s a case of an arrangement and vocalist working together in near-perfect sync. The vocals of Karyn Reineke complement Cowgill’s singing with an otherworldly afterglow.
It is a moody piece. Some may even find it dire and too dark for their listening taste. Many more will hear it as a wonderfully visual and evocative song. It has an all-encompassing scope for a song that barely cracks the four-minute mark. However, you will never think Society of the Silver Cross or King Dude are biting off more than they can chew. It is an assured performance at every stage of its development.
It holds up under repeated passes as well. Most songs don’t. We should remember that popular music, as originally envisioned, was never meant for such durability. Early practitioners conceived it as an inherently disposable form. It’s only through the far-sighted vision of performers and composers that we have works such as this, and it’s no stretch to include Society of the Silver Cross among the most talented musical visionaries working today.
“Wife of the Sea” certainly tantalizes the appetite for further entries in Society’s Temple Hymns series. We can only assume these songs are slated for inclusion in their budding sophomore release Festival of Invocation scheduled to drop in June 2024. However, it isn’t necessary. “Wife of the Sea” more than stands on its own as a powerful track.
Garth Thomas