Skip to main content

Shofar - s/t (2017)

BANDCAMP: https://shofar.bandcamp.com/releases
BROADJAM: http://www.broadjam.com/shofar

Written by Larry Robertson, posted by blog admin

Shofar’s journey back into the world of active recording has been a long time coming, but their self-titled six song EP doesn’t disappoint. The band’s lyrical message, courtesy of main songwriter Larry Hagner, has broadened some with the intervening years out of the studio, but they remain much of the same creative unit they were before their layoff. These are engaging songs cast in an alt-rock setting, but there’s definitely plenty of classic guitar-driven song motifs worked into these compositions. The lyrics are accessible and easy to follow, but there’s no question that Hagner is a writer of rare distinction whose able to push his language into listener’s consciousness without relying on a bevy of poetic flourishes. Shofar’s self-titled re-emergence is one of 2017’s most satisfying releases and definitely positions the band for an impressive 2018.  

 You’d think you are in the presence of hard rock greatness based on the first song alone. They hint at a progressive flourish with their music in the intro to “Running” before changing things up into an full on guitar assault that only abates with the first verse. The guitars back off, never far, and give Hagner’s voice a chance to take over the cut. He fills it with an immediate presence that only grows more dramatic with the song’s chorus. “Running” is a memorable start to the EP. “Powerman” finds Shofar trying something different on for size, a sort of pop rock gloss, and it fits them well while still allowing them to make a substantive musical and lyrical statement. The music will please audiences without ever sounding like it’s pandering for attention. “Shades of Grey” brings back a little more of their rock and roll bite without ever veering too far away from their core accessible sound. It comes more in flurries here and they serve to punctuate Hagner’s lyrics well.

“Hands Down” is the EP’s second great rock track and you can tell that Hagner takes a great deal of relish in belting this one out, but it never comes across in a clichéd or hamfisted sort of way. We move into much more serious concerns with the number “Countdown” and Hagner’s songwriting puts over the end of times with such dramatic urgency you can’t help but react. It’s imaginative, has a message, and will produce a reaction in anyone who pays close attention. Shofar brings their recording return to an impressive curtain close with the track “The Coming” and they broaden both their instrumental sound and vocal approach here to nice effect. It’s an obvious closer for the EP and a clear signal of intent that they continue to aim high with both their songwriting and performances.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Yam Haus - Stargazer (2018)

OFFICIAL : http://www.yamhaus.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www. facebook.com/yamhaus TWITTER: https://twitter.com/YAMHAUSBand Written by Raymond Burris, posted by blog admin Yam Haus’ debut album Stargazer begins in rousing fashion. The title song opens the album with a short flurry of synthesizer sounds before shifting into stomping guitar and drum driven verses. The slashing guitar work gives the song a great deal of bounce while the drumming contrasts that with straight forward power and Lars Pruitt’s smooth, gliding vocal tone provides the finishing touch for the track. The lyrics don’t remake the wheel or aspire to poetic excellence, but they are a cut above typical fare in this style. “West Coast” has a much more retro slant than the title song, definitely recalling the 1980’s moreso than recent history, but it never looks back to that music too reverentially. The production distinguishes this song, like it does the album across the board, and has a physically engag...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Suburbs - Hey Muse! (2017)

OFFICIAL: www.TheSuburbsBand.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/thesuburbsband TWITTER: www.twitter.com/thesuburbsband Written by Scott Wigley, posted by blog admin 37 years ago Minneapolis, underground new wave legends The Suburbs released their debut In Combo on Twin/Tone Records.   They built up a dedicated cult following but could never really break it big like some of their scene luminaries.   Since their formation they have released multiple singles and 6 LPs.   Their 2013 return with the album Si Sauvage reestablished the band   and, four years later, The Suburbs present their latest recording; Hey Muse!,  an even stronger album than their last. It's packed with expertly written and produced songs that are from another time.   This could have come out in New Wave’s golden era with nobody batting an eye.   The title track is a swirl of synths, reverberating clean guitars, thick rhythmic textures and smoky melody vocals that m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Julia McDonald - Gravity (2016)

OFFICIAL: http://www.juliamcdonaldmusic.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/juliamcdonaldmusic Written by Jay Snyder, posted by blog admin A 6-track indie/pop/dub spectacle is the fruit of Julia McDonald’s hard musical labor.   The songstress writes her own material and, at 19, is chasing and reaching her artistic goals with immense hunger.   This sweet vibration emanating from these six songs definitely have the pop hooks to catch a lot of ears, but those who listen closely will hear some other sounds developing in her arsenal that sets her apart from the crowded pack.   The title track is all about feeling and how to build on it; beginning as a lone keyboard/vocal arrangement that benefits from an acoustic interjection or two, as the structure of the song congeals digital beats push the chorus to great heights and everything settles into place. It showcases McDonald’s talent for wringing all that she can out of a vocal melody or musical arrangem...
Post a Comment
Read more