Husband and wife pairing, Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst
have been active as the duo Shovels & Rope since 2008, accruing heaps of
industry praise especially in recent times. For this sure-to be much celebrated
release, Trent has undertaken the production duty and kept the work further in-house by sharing all writing, instrumentation and vocals with Hearst. This
element of control has allowed an inventive production process to prosper thus
creating a piece of art ripe for positive perception. You are entirely kept on
your toes throughout the album’s evolution with the duo rarely settling on a straightforward
sound. This enhances the enjoyment capacity.
The scratchy opener emerges as a rampant indie number
complete with fuzzy guitars and fiery duet vocals. ‘I Know’ has been selected as one of the record’s promotional tracks and
rather than defining the album settles as one of its numerous landing points.
More in the same vein is the utterly compelling ‘Invisible Man’, a slice of melodic punk and steering the lyrical
content in an Alzheimer’s direction. To complete a trio of left field racy
efforts, second track ‘Botched Execution’
explodes from its acoustically strummed opening to evolve into a lyric-laden
pacey track.
The more folk and roots appeal generally lies in the slower
numbers introduced early in the record with the unveiling of another promoted
track, the mandolin-featuring ‘St. Anne’s
Parade’ complete with fascinating story backdrop. On the topic of interesting
folk style songs, a trio of latter stage album tracks add to the record’s depth.
A strong cutting chorus to ‘Johnny Come
Outside’ flavours this harmonica-featuring song addressing the issue of
over-medicating children. Another appealing chorus, or rather strapline, ‘don’t
going whistling Dixie on Missionary Ridge’ adorns the Civil War story ballad,
understandably titled ‘Missionary Ridge’.
There was a fabulous metaphorical song about the San Andreas
Fault written by Canadian songstress Amelia Curran a few years ago and this
geological feature is the dividing line for the rather impressive track ‘San Andreas Fault Blues’. Here the
couple from South Carolina, settle on a Golden State theme thousands of miles west with references to Tom Joad, Bakersfield, Nudie suits and a
certain Grievous Angel. To further spin the album on a geographical/historical axis, alt-country style heartland rocker ‘The
Last Hawk’ opens with references to Woodstock and 1968 before unravelling
as one of the stand-out numbers.
The joy of exploring this album extends into two lower key
tracks from this viewpoint, namely the punchy alternative ‘Buffalo Nickel’ and the tuneful slow burner ‘Mourning Song’. On a more explicit level, the subject of racial
unity is championed in the evocative, minimal and intensely principled ‘BWYR’ showcasing the power of purposeful
music. The final two tracks are presumed existentially linked with the recorded
re-collection of the circumstances surrounding ‘Eric’s Birthday’ leading into the escalating climactic closer ‘The Ride’. Ultimately this represents
the many nooks and crannies of LITTLE SEEDS that will only be fully discovered
with a multiple of intense plays.
The good news in the run up to the release of LITTLE SEEDS
is that Shovels & Rope have announced a trio of UK show dates in early 2017,
where the new material is sure to feature prominently alongside their equally
as impressive older songs. In the meantime, grab a copy of the new record and
wallow in a collection of eclectic sounds and themes which will without doubt
seep into your DNA.
www.shovelsandrope.com
Tour Dates including 2017 UK
