Search - th' legendary shack shakers :: Believe

"Believe" In This.

J. O. Sinard | 10/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After going through numerous guitarists and three drummers since the exit of former Shack*Shaker JoeBuck (now with Hank Williams III's "Damn Band"), Those Legendary Shack*Shakers don't seem to miss a step on the latest release from YepRoc, "Believe". Col. JD Wilkes returns this time with David Lee on guitar, Mark Robertson on bass, and an array of guest musicians filling in where the gaps are. Paulie Simmonz, who left the band in August to spend more time at home, plays most of the drums on this album. If you're familiar with the Shakers' previous outing, "Cockadoodledont", you'll be ready for the vocals screamed through a harmonica mic, as well as changes of pace from rock to bluegrass to goth country in the blink of an eye. In the first track "Agony Wagon", you'll hear a fiddle, clarinet, and banjo being played. And this song really defines the band. A simple, Southern sensibility added to Wilkes' natural showman attitude and a little dysfunction and sin thrown in to spice things up. In "County Of Graves", Wilkes plays the part of a preacher, and towards the end of the song delivers his sermon about Biblical character Abraham, something found regularly in his live performances. "Believe" does sound like a gospel album at times. But perhaps it's a gospel album that's been tainted with rock'n roll and the ways of the world. "Cussin' In Tongues" features some back-up mock choir vocals, and "Bible Cyst" explores JD's wish to return to Earth as a poltergeist. If you're a hillbilly punk; a punk that can go for some harmonica with his electric guitar; or just a fan of rock music in general, you should enjoy this album. It's got many a foot-tapping, head banging moments that will have pompadourks everywhere shaking their hips."

Great album, but somehow...

Ryan McNabb | Ooltewah, TN USA | 10/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...it doesn't stick to my ribs quite like "Cockadoodle Don't". That second album from this amazing band was one of the finest, most original things I've heard in years. (Actually the band has changed more times than you can count - it's the front man that never changes: J.D. Wilkes, who may be the best harp player working now.) But this most recent offering doesn't seem to be quite as original, quite as addictive. It took me several days to play all of it, for instance - I kept finding something else to do, unlike Cockadoodle, which got played 3 times back to back the first time I heard it. The songs are all great - tight, screaming rock typical of the genre, but lots of the sounds are very derivative (you could, of course, call them "classic") and seem lifted right out of other albums. One song has a pure 70's hard rock sound - Led Zepplin would be proud. The next has a classic 1-4-5-1 blues lick that seems mundane in comparison to what Wilkes is capable of writing. Then there's some klezmer stuff that sounds like it came from a deranged Jewish wedding. All fun, all listenable, but compare any of it to "CB Song", or "Devil's Night Auction" or "Pine Tree Boogie", and the difference is apparent. I'm glad I got this, and will give it many many more listens, but for album #4 I hope the good Colonel can dig up that Mason Jar of inspiration that brought us album #2. This is still one of the most amazing bands working now, and their live show is a draining experience."

Confusing but in a good way.

Daniel Charles Hein | Huntington Beach, CA USA | 01/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is definitely a departure from their last. The music still has the rockabilly/blues/hillbilly/punk influence of their last disc, but throw in some klezmer and some polka too. They're going in so many different directions it gets confusing. They really seem to be etching out their own style though. When I first got it, I must say I was a bit disappointed. I kept listening though and it really grew on me. JD and Co. really don't seem to be trying to play any kind of specific music at all. There are just some darn good songs on here. I'd like to hear some more harp, but that's just nit-picking. The music is still high energy with some great lyrics. Their version of "Help Me" (Sonny Boy Williamson II), start off like the original and then kicks into distorted screaming mania. Some tunes feature fiddle and clarinet also. Fistwhistle Boogie features the most/best harp by JD on the album, some great bass slapping by Mark, and boogies like nobody's business. Pick it up, and give it several listens to really let it sink in."