The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 278

Excellent review! It makes me happy that you loved this album so much, always nice to see these guys get some credit for putting out good tunes

 

My second partner this week was @skurt . He assigned me Shaky Graves- Can’t Wake Up. I’ve never heard a single Shaky Graves song, but I know that Brent and @fenway89 are both big fans. I had no idea what type of music to expect. For starters, the album art is fantastic!

The record starts with “Counting Sheep” which opens with a soft opening, with subdued music, and vocals, before the vocals brought the volume up a little more. He sings with vulnerability in his voice, and seems to make the most of his Americana-tinged vocal-range. “Kids These Days” is another laid back song, with upbeat moments. I really like the way he delivers his lyrics, and his timing. I also enjoy the way he sings with sincere conviction whether singing in a lower key, or bringing out a big moment in the song. “Climb On The Cross” starts with a mini guitar solo and bassline that sounds reminiscent of the 60’s. His vocals and his delivery reminded me a lot of the singer of Foster The People in this song. I liked the overall vibe of this song, and the callback to music that was created half a century ago. “Dining Alone” begins with an eerie guitar part, to go along with a short whistling intro. This song, and a lot of the songs feel like I’m going back in time, which is impressive in this day and age to create music that can take you back like that. This was the highlight of the record so far for me. “My Neighbor” was another track of his that featured some trippy, female backing vocals. Songs like this make me very intrigued on what his live show would be like. I think he’d benefit from having the full band live, backup singers and all. I think it could really translate well. The end of “My Neighbor” transitioned seamlessly into the next song “Excuses” This was another song that had some very trippy elements to it with transitions between verses with distant background vocals of “oooo” and “ahhh” “Cops and Robbers” was one of the more upbeat tracks on the record, with one of the more catchier choruses, as well. The lead guitar on the record and the rhythm the bass player and drummer kept were almost surf-rock in their style. This was one of my favorites off of the record. “Mansion Door” had a very distinct guitar part in the chorus, that was brought to the forefront of the production on this track, that added a catchy element to the chorus in this one. The last chorus they even isolated that riff with the vocals. This song was probably the most straight-forward and accessible song on the record. “Aibohphobia” was a very unique track that had unconventional vocals, and unique instrumentation. It was funny because he went from the most accessible track on the record, to the most unique track on the record. “Big Bad Wolf” starts quiet with a distant drum part, and a heavy bassline. This was a cool stripped-down track for Shakey Graves. I would imagine this is as stripped down as they can get, since there are usually so many things going on in any given song. “Back Seat Driver” reminded me a lot of something I’d expect to hear on a Father John Misty record. He had similar writing, and vocal delivery on it. I spoke too soon, as this was also a very stripped-down track similar to “Big Bad Wolf” “Foot Of the Bed” continued the run of lighter songs, with not as many moving pieces. This was probably my favorite run of the songs on the record. “Tin Man” ended the record with an upbeat track. I like the way that the lead guitar followed his vocals in certain moments in the verse. It was a fitting way to end the record, as I feel like it combined all the elements heard on the record.

I know I’ve said it a good amount, but I think that this musician was born in the wrong decade. His creative side and how eclectic the record was, is not something you hear a lot of in music these days. There were so many moving pieces in every song. My only complaint was the record did feel a little long at time, as the music and vocals were mostly subdued, and in general the production on the record pulled everything back and made it a very laid back, quiet record. Sometimes the songs did feel similar in sound too, based on this. I would definitely recommend this record to anyone who is a fan of 60’s music with a tinge of Americana-Folk thrown in there. Thanks for the rec @skurt

Favorite Songs: Climb On The Cross, Dining Alone, Cops and Robbers, Mansion Door, Big Bad Wolf, Backseat Driver

 

Nice review. @Mary V gave me this as well and with time it really has grown on me. It truly is a record from another time. In regards to his live show, I spoke to my brother in law who is a huge fan and he said it is literally just him, a guitar and a tambourine. At times I feel like his voice reminded me a lot of Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie. I need a few more spins but I think I have to agree in that it is kind of a long record for the style.

 

Although I haven't spent a ton of time with this new one my first impression was that his record And the War Came from 2014 is overall a better record so if you like this one I'd give that a go as well.

 

So I haven't done any live reviews yet, but I'm going to Slam Dunk festival next weekend (Think a mini UK Warped tour taking place over one weekend). I'm going to all three dates this year (I have done South since 2012 and Midlands since 2015) and may well do a review of that the week after if anyone would be interested.

Lineup is here:

 

What is your plan of attack?

 

I'm honestly seeing most bands on the top two stages at least once (missing one or two), plus a couple of bands on lower stages like Trash Boat, Can't Swim, Woes, Counterparts, Grayscale, etc. As for headliners, I'm likely seeing JEW the first and third night, and Good charlotte sandwiched between.

 

Always down for some more concert reviews on here this could be a cool little series of write ups

 

I'm also seeing Turnover the Thursday of the same week.

This is why I'm asking to be benched next week aha.

 

Make sure you see Comeback Kid, Every Time I Die, and TBS

 

I've seen ETID 4 times so missing them this time around! But I'm seeing TBS likely twice!

 

The Impericon stage is pretty stacked. I'm not the biggest fan of Crown the Empire. I would definitely love a write up on Trash Boat, Grayscale and Can't Swim.

 

Ask and ye shall receive.

I've seen Trash Boat and Can't Swim before, and Trash Boat ALWAYS kill it live. Seeing them on the TWY, PUP, Trash Boat and Tiny Moving Parts tour with Soupy singing his part on strangers was INSANE.

 

It's weird seeing Say Anything so low on the billing. Also, did TDWP just drop off in popularity completely recently because I noticed they aren't even direct support to the Parkway Drive tour in the US.

 

Yeah I guess they haven't had a popular album for like ten years though I guess. In 2012 they were like 4th on the main stage (there was only one main stage that year).

TDWP never took off over here. The Zombie EP was incredible and got them a following but ever since they dropped off a lot in the UK.

 

That makes sense the last Say Anything album was absolute garbage.

I never got into the Zombie EP as much as most people but I love Dead Throne and 8:18. Transit Blues was solid.

 

I personally loved the two EP's they did: Zombie and Space. I also like the more progressive direction they took on the last full length. Mike's vocals are hit or miss as well.

 

Have you seen either of them before? I caught Turnover opening for Circa and they were excellent.

Yeah his vocals have always been a polarizing aspect of the band. I saw them touring Transit and they weren't good. The sound was kind of a mess and you couldn't discern what was even happening.

 

Yeah I've seen them about 5 times since 2013, and I really enjoy them. PV is one of my favourite albums ever, so I try whenever they come to the UK now.

 

How did you feel about Good Nature? That one really grew on me with more listens whereas PV was more immediate. I have yet to hear Magnolia.

 

I was into them just before Magnolia came out as I started on their split with Citizen so I loved that, it's a nice grunge influenced pop punk/emo record. Most of the Time is a massive song.

Good Nature is... Good. It's got some great tracks but it's a bit placid at points. PV had some songs like Take My Head and Cutting My Fingers Off which had some more pace, and I think the album suffers from that, with Breeze being the closest. I'm happy that Austin is in such a good place, and the album still has 6 or 7 fantastic tracks, but it was a little too one note for me. Bonnie is one of their best songs though for sure.

 

Bonnie was my favorite track from that record. I liked how they seemed to experiment with a little more pop in their songs on Good Nature. I'll have to check out Magnolia since that description intrigues me.

 

I am the weirdo that loved Good Nature but thought PV was OK

 

I think PV was better than Good Nature but I also really enjoyed Good Nature. Their sense of melody and catchy-ness improved but I agree with @SamLevi11 in the sense that it could get a tad placid.

 

If you are a part of this and I get you, I will 100% give you Magnolia if you haven't already listened by then.