It’s the end of the year and it’s time to wrap up everything we loved, and this year I’d like to make this a buyers recommendation for records this year. At this point in my life, these are all records I think you should drop $20 on and spin the vinyl like there is no tomorrow. I didn’t think it was proper to put these in any type of order although most people who I discuss music with will probably know what my number one is. Without further ado, here are my recommendations for records to buy that released in…
5 CommentsTag: Shovels & Rope
Photos by Boston Concert Photography [W]e have come to expect great things from a band like Shovels & Rope. They have given us amazing performances in the past, from the days when they were the little engine that could, playing opening shows for Butch Walker, Hayes Carll, or Jason Isbell; to now the inspiring husband-wife duo that delights our ears, eyes, body and soul on two awesome headlining nights at the Royale. I personally got to catch Cary Ann and Michael (I’m on a first name basis obviously) sing their hearts out on Saturday night, and although Cary Ann may…
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[T]here is an inherent sense of foreboding and unease layered throughout the new sophomore release titled Swimmin’ Time from Charleston, South Carolina duo Shovels & Rope, which is almost a complete 180 from the uplifting merriment found in the pair’s first album released under the moniker Shovels & Rope, 2012’s O’ Be Joyful. It’s as though our favorite southern charmers, Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, took a peek through the curtain of popularity that was opening wider for the singer-songwriters and were slightly taken aback by the response of the ever-growing crowd.
Now, don’t read that opening paragraph as a condemnation on the more introspective outlook the new Shovels & Rope album brings to the (turn)table. I am crazy about this record and have been listening pretty much non-stop since it arrived at Music Savage, however with each push of the play button I can’t help but wonder what the catalyst was for creating this musical shift in gears.
There are quite a few heavy topics Hearst and Trent wade through throughout Swimmin’ Time, most notably (as the title suggests) the songs focus on the power of water and the struggle to move forward through fluctuating tides, or to pick oneself up and dry off after the storm subsides. Whether it’s the plea for guidance and hope found in the beautiful song, “After the Storm,” the impassioned call of the album’s title track to swim or drown as the ocean waves pull you away from shore, or the true story of “Thresher,” a submarine lost at sea in 1963 with 129 souls on board, the main theme here is the struggle.
The struggle of ol’ fashioned good versus evil is also explored. The album’s stellar opening track, “The Devil Is All Around,” focuses on finding salvation and turning against temptation. With the glory of a church organ, and the almighty power of a kick-drum, the song perfectly sets the fight or flight tone of the album. You also find the theme in the 50’s inspired numbers as well. The Doo Wop style of “Coping Mechanism” looks for answers away from the obvious inebriants, and my favorite track, the rockabilly, “Mary Anne & One Eyed Dan,” delves into the topic of redemption through love.
While the emphasis of Swimmin’ Time is on the trials and tribulations of a life in the spotlight, I think the message is pretty clear. The road (or river) may be tough going but if you keep your chin up, and swim against the current, eventually you will find your way back to shore. As with most sequels the storyline cautiously dives into the heart of the conflict with the determination to rise above and conquer. Shovels & Rope have created the Empire Strikes Back to their Star Wars, the Superman II to their Superman: The Movie. We all know the heroes win in the end!
Buy Swimmin’ Time
Shovels & Rope Tour Dates:
8 Comments[W]e are giving away a fantastic lil’ prize to celebrate the recent news that got the Music Savage gang all weak in the knees…. a new Shovels & Rope album titled Swimmin’ Time, due out August 26th via Dualtone Music. This Third Man Records exclusive ‘Blue Series Single’ (check it out here) 7-inch features Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent covering Bruce Springsteen’s “Johnny 99” on side A and Tom Waits’ “Bad As Me” on side B. It’s pretty spectacular and we would love to give one of ’em away to one of our spectacular Music Savage faithful. Enter your email address below…
4 Comments[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvQBgm1QyVE[/youtube] [I] can’t think of a band that we here at Music Savage love more than the husband and wife duo Shovels & Rope. I also can’t think of readers we love more than all of you! D’aaawww sappy I know, but if it wasn’t for the fact that you enjoy music as much as we do then this little ol’ site wouldn’t exist. Thought we should post this sweet video for “Birmingham” for you fine folks today in lieu of flowers or a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Happy Valentine’s Day from Music Savage!
3 Comments[I] was lucky enough to be exposed to Shovels & Rope’s original record years ago, when Michael and Cary Ann had first recorded it, a record I quickly fell in love with, and just couldn’t grasp why a million people weren’t listening to it. I’m so happy to hear the band and Dualtone Records are going to reissue the record, and they included this spicy version of “Mother’s Scorn,” which is quite a bit more like how they play it live. It’s rollicking music, that deserves to be played loud. If anyone is looking to buy me a gift for…
7 Comments[R]egular readers of our little music loving site know how much we here at Music Savage love Charleston, South Carolina’s dynamic husband & wife duo Shovels & Rope. Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst are amazingly talented, switching back and forth between instruments faster than a jackrabbit on moonshine, and constantly engaging the crowd with their charming brand of southern warmth and kindness. They have graced many a greater Boston area stage in 2013, the last time was just this past June at the Royale, and if you have not yet jumped on the S&R train tonight is your chance…
7 CommentsJim James [S]aturday at the Folk Fest brought back the sunshine and another full day of incredible music. The day started early with the welcoming sounds from Mariachi Flor de Toloache. We then jumped into catching sets from RayLand Baxter, Jim James, Father John Misty, Sarah Jarosz, Shovels & Rope, The Low Anthem and the high energy of Trombone Shorty. The evening was capped off by Jay Sweet giving a warm welcoming return to The Avett Brothers. Check out day number two in photos from our photographer, Jamie Reiley, and let us know which show you most enjoyed.
15 CommentsPhotos by Boston Concert Photography [F]riday night was as good of a night as any for music fans here in Boston. Newly announced to the Newport Folk Festival, South Carolina folk rock duo Shovels & Rope in town with friend Andrew Combs warming up the room for them. Shovels & Rope is fresh off a fantastic release late last year, an album in O’ Be Joyful, that has garned major critical acclaim which has helped snowball the band into a headlining tour that landed the duo here in town. So we all packed into the newly opened Sinclair in Harvard…
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