bradley's almanac - a boston music blog

boston area events of note:

thursday, january 8th

forest henderson

the new collisions

the lights out

sir q

@ great scott

saturday, january 10th

head automatica

radio 4

@ great scott

sunday, january 11th

whistlejacket

voxhaul broadcast

local natives

the union line

@ tt the bears

monday, january 12th

varsity drag

the rationales

nate rogers (ex-scamper)

@ tt the bears

thursday, january 15th

illinois

@ great scott

thursday, january 15th

the raveonettes

@ the paradise

friday, january 16th

dear leader

hallelujah the hills

faces on film

@ the paradise

saturday, january 17th

the rosebuds

the love language

the fatal flaw

@ the middle east downstairs

sunday, january 18th

frightened rabbit

@ great scott

sunday, january 18th

department of eagles

@ the brattle theatre

saturday, january 24th

longwave

wheat

bon savants

@ great scott

saturday, january 24th

arts at the armory benefit

mission of burma

the neighborhoods

@ the somerville theatre

saturday, january 24th

vic chesnutt

elf power

@ the middle east

tuesday, january 27th

annuals

jessica lee mayfield

what laura says

@ the paradise

friday, january 30th

andrew bird

loney dear

@ the orpheum

tuesday, february 3rd

heartless bastards

@ great scott

wednesday, february 4th

the pretenders

@ the orpheum

thursday, february 5th

illinois

mean creek

you can be a wesley (cd release)

@ great scott

wednesday, february 11th

the godfathers

@ the middle east down

friday, february 13th

los campesinos!

@ the paradise

saturday, february 14th

animal hospital

travels (cd release!)

arms & sleepers

mary page

@ pa's lounge

sunday, february 15th

the pains of being pure at heart

pants yell!

the depreciation guild

@ the middle east upstairs

sunday, february 15th

fujiya & miyagi

@ the paradise

wednesday, february 18th

m. ward

@ the somerville theatre

saturday, february 21st

norm macdonald

@ the wilbur theatre

monday, february 23rd

witch (j. mascis)

earthless

@ tt the bears

tuesday, february 24th

jason isbell & the 400 unit

deer tick

ferraby lionheart

@ tt the bears

tuesday, february 24th

ben kweller

the watson twins

@ the somerville theatre

tuesday, february 24th

tapes 'n tapes

wild light

@ the paradise

wednesday, february 25th

comedian eugene mirman

'the will to whatevs' book tour

@ the brookline booksmith

thursday, february 26th

jimmy eat world

'clarity 10th anniversary tour'

@ the new house of blues

thursday, february 26th

blizten trapper

alela diane

@ the paradise

saturday, february 28th

swirlies!

gregory & the hawk

@ the middle east up

saturday, february 28th

fountains of wayne (acoustic)

everyday visuals (acoustic)

@ the paradise

saturday, march 7th

airborne toxic event

alberta cross

henry clay people

@ the paradise

wednesday, march 11th

fleetwood mac

@ the garden

saturday, march 14th

throwing muses

screaming females

50 foot wave

@ the middle east downstairs

saturday, march 14th

a.c. newman (new pornographers)

with dent may & his

magnificent ukulele

@ the paradise

sunday, march 29th

morrissey

@ the house of blues

visit tourfilter for more shows

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Summer At Shatter Creek's 'All The Answers'

Summer at Shatter Creek's second full-length, 'All The Answers', arrived in my mailbox today, ordered straight from Badman well ahead of the March 29th release date... and I'm totally floored. It's a meticulously crafted, layered, and heartbreakingly beautiful piece of work. One person, lots of instruments, nine songs, and thirty-five minutes, it so easily follows through on the promise of the pre-released mp3, 'Your Ever Changing Moods'.

Craig Gurwich's falsetto has never sounded stronger, at times more delicate, and so haunting. The disc has such a perfectly sequenced flow, and gorgeously personal production that makes the whole thing sound as if it's wrapped up in a warm, comfy blanket. It's one of those albums that, despite the oft-sad subject matter, can uplift in it's simple existence. There's so much attention to detail; sustained piano lines, subtle harmonies, and distant feedback appear and disappear like waves, tastefully applied percussion comes in and out and is never obtrusive.

It's one of those discs that generously rewards repeated listens on a nice set of headphones, revealing something new each time through. There are shades of Sparklehorse, slight hints of Elliott Smith, but honestly, comparing this to anyone else might only serve to lessen it's impact... it exists as it's own self-contained work of art. I can't remember the last time I was this musicially proud of someone I've called a friend. I know, I totally sound like I'm going over the top here, but like I said... I'm just floored by this thing. I expected stabs at greatness, and instead found brilliance.

Grab the disc direct from Badman, and if you order a couple other things (like the stellar Swell discs), you'll get a copy of their Winter 2005 Sampler (with tracks from Hayden, Washington Social Club, S.A.S.C., n.lannon, Mark Mallman, The Black Heart Procession, Call and Response, James William Hindle, the innocence mission, Pleasant Grove, and Lanterna) thrown in for good measure.

Since S.A.S.C. is based in L.A., you West Coasters will soon be treated to some live appearances (L.A. on Thursday, San Fran a week later), but word has it that Craig might be heading East for some shows in the late summer or fall. Here's hoping.

posted by brad at 4:08 PM | direct link | rss (1 :2) | |

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