Artist: Shakey Graves
Album: And The War Came
Bitrate: 217kbps avg
Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz
Label: Six Shooter Records
Genre: Indie
Size: 70.00 megs
PlayTime: 0h 42min 13sec total
Rip Date: 2014-11-14
Store Date: 2014-10-14
Track List:
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01. This Is The Beginning 0:07
02. Only Son 4:42
03. Dearly Departed 3:32
04. The Perfect Parts 3:56
05. Hard Wired 4:07
06. Family And Genus 5:19
07. Big Time Nashville Star 4:24
08. Pansy Waltz 3:33
09. House Of Winston 4:13
10. If Not For You 5:10
11. Call It Heaven 3:10
Release Notes:
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Thanks to the visceral folk sound of his debut Roll the Bones, Alejandro
Rose-Garcia, better known as Shakey Graves, landed himself a handful of
prestigious live shows this past year, including the Newport Folk Festival and
Celebrate Brooklyn. His onstage charisma is vibrant and magnetic, no doubt
resulting in a fast growing following of fans (the boyish good looks donÆt hurt,
either). Now, with his new record And Then the War Came, he proves heÆs here to
stay with a more diverse and creative Americana style that hits the heartstrings
with force.
The Austinite is known for his one-man-band performances, plucking guitar with
his fingers and playing drums with his feet, and his latest record seems to
emulate that spirit as much as possible. ItÆs sparse, yet still lush and
beautiful. The instrumentals are kept simple so as to let his dusty howl shine.
Rose-GarciaÆs voice is like a secret weapon, adding an ethereal lightness or a
gritty earthiness so naturally and effortlessly. He rasps like Caleb Followill
on ôIf Not For Youö, an electric, bluesy live wire of a song, but whispers so
delicately on the folksy and bare ôOnly Sonö. The fact that heÆs able to
transition back and forth so seamlessly is a feat in itself.
On War he collaborates on a handful of songs with the angelic songstress Esme
Patterson, who adds a sweet mellow tone. Songs like the ghostly ôDearly
Departedö and the bare bones ôBig Time Nashville Starö, are both full of smooth,
honeyed harmonies so lovely youÆll be wishing these two would just put out a
whole record together.
Alas, there are some truly gorgeous solo numbers on War, including the slow burn
ôHouse of Winstonö in all its dark and romantic melancholy, and the ode to
regret ôPansy Waltzö, with its heavenly ôooohös. Rose-Garcia never really rocks
out on this album, but he doesnÆt need to. ThereÆs nothing lacking from these
thoughtful, toned down tracks, and each hits intense notes both sad and soulful.
ôHard Wiredö is easily the most impressive vocal display on the record,
featuring Rose-GarciaÆs uninhibited and perfectly weathered wail.
The standout gem on War comes with ôFamily and Genusö, an elevated, dreamy
folk-pop tune thatÆs otherworldly and celestial. The sublime use of strings is a
nice contrast with the frequent distorted amp sounds on many of the other songs
on the album. ItÆs refreshing to see Rose-Garcia confidently stepping outside
the lines of his usual guy-with-a-guitar style and taking some aesthetic chances
for the sake of a more multi-dimensional sound.
Overall, War is a much darker turn for him than his previous release, and this
new cloudiness suits him. Whereas on Roll the Bones there was a more traditional
Americana sound with lots of banjo and harmonica, War feels more contemporary
and alternative. ItÆs still a surefire folk album, but thereÆs a lot more to it
this time. That same troubadour spirit remains ingrained, but Rose-Garcia
reminds us that heÆs a young musician who isnÆt afraid to delve into new
territory. And it nearly always pays off.