Swamp rock is back in town here at Musical Chairs. We sent our very own primordial ooze Gary Lee off on the trail to discover the source: The Gospel According To Shawn James And The Shapeshifters.
Shawn James and The Shapeshifters are back on Musical Chairs. Last time we covered them, they were in the middle of a kickstarter journey to fund their album. Now they have their album and I shall be your guide through it. If you are unfamiliar with The Shapeshifters, then perhaps you should know that they hail from Fayetteville, Arkansas and are self-styled swamp rockers, bringing a blend of enthusiastic and infectious southern-country energy to hard rock and metal riffs, grooves and swings.
The album itself is on the shorter side of things, standing at just under 40 minutes long. Opening with the high energy, infectious and catchy No Gods, which is a fantastic song that pulls you into the style of the band well, while also (hopefully) leaving you wanting to explore this début album further. The album then closes with Sandbox, a slow and methodical plod through the musical country swamp that The Shapeshifters call home, a perfect compliment to the opener. This track allows (perhaps even encourages) you to think and reflect on journeys undertaken, both by yourself and by the album.
Like Father Like Son shows off vocalist Shawn James' powerful gospel like voice, a voice fused with the grunge 'yaarl' of vocalists like Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder. Lyrically the song muses on a personal subject of childhood and fatherly relationships, opening with the lines "my father taught me lots of valuable things/like how to drink and not get caught/or how to loose your family and friends/addictions a horrible lot." Still though, despite the lyrical content, there is that patterned energy and vigour as the song gallops through riffs and jaunts.
Lost shows the mournful side of the Shapeshifters, sounding much more like a thoughtful gospel song than the usual jig inducing swamp rock. While Shawn James' vocals are in full gospel/blues effect and slightly cleaner than they were in the previous tracks, this song is a good prelude to Sandbox. Wild Man is the lead single from this release and holy moly does this song make you get your clap on! Gospel energy, country grooves, rock riffs and the return of the grungy vocals. This song has it all and may well be an instant classic, if not a track with a large shelf life.
Strange Days goes back to the full rock effect, while Lake Of Fire shifts back to gospel vibes and a heavy dose of banjo. The inclusion of violin on this track being a wonderful touch that takes the song to new and interesting places, this is another song to listen out for and once again shows the slightly more down tempo side explored in the albums closer. Meanwhile, Just Because tracks through with purposeful tension and menace befitting a song with the lyrics "just because you want peace/doesn't mean you'll get it before you die." This is perhaps one of the heavier tracks from the album and it is wonderfully fitting.
I do however, wish that this wasn't followed by Back Down because thematically there isn't much to choose between the two of them and with Just Because being a better delivery of it, I feel Back Down loses something and becomes less memorable for it. I cannot help finding this a little saddening considering the passion and care that went into the making of this album.
Lilith is a surprising track starting with a ballad style vibe before bursting into heavy riffs and drums. Eventually Shawn James summons up all his defiant anger as he growls "no you won't get the best of me!" An amazingly metal and beautifully emotional way to see out his vocal performance duties for the track, before going on to wistful Sandbox, which although I have covered above, I will add is perhaps another track to stick in your playlists!
Overall, I find this to be a fine album that offers a varied approach to the way the band make their music. The energy is infectious and it would likely go down a storm at parties, BBQ's or other social gatherings. I would suggest you try this even if you dislike country music, because this is a rather refreshing take on the genre. Although, you'd be hard pressed to find something to like if your aversion to banjo is much like that of a violent allergic reaction, but then if that is the case, you are in the wrong part of town sonny!
Article By: Gary Lee (@thewheelbear)
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