This was a facinating process to witness. An album being recorded and contructed over the course of the year and every detail recorded on the artists blog track by track (In fact the song demos are still there for free download). The sound of this band has evolved in the process from the earlier rough garage jangle sound to a sophisticated studio effort. This is more of James Hall’s baby and it shows. Those guitars are still there and he mixes in a few new influences. Opening with “Stand and Deliver” it mixes psychedelic vocals and ringing guitar rhythms that reminds me a little of U2 mixed with The Happy Mondays. Hall’s musical skills are on display with the steady bass and looping guitar arpeggio of “Touch The Sky.” If you’re a bit nostalgic for those 80’s jangle hooks of The Mighty Lemon Drops, The Cure and Psychedelic Furs you get a real gift with several tracks like the hook-filled “Fire and Ice”, “Can You Feel?” and “I Wasn’t Born Yesterday.” The trippy “Bottom Of The Sea” sets a real nice Pink Floyd styled mood and “Where is The Sun?” is a shimmering gem with a rich harmonic chorus. But if you’re a fan that misses the band’s older, rougher sound, then Hall throws you bone with “Open Your Eyes” in a Pretty Things garage mode. Fans of the old sound may not warm up so quickly, but I did as the songwriting is more refined and the instrumental work more meticulous.
Shake Some Action | E Music | Amazon
