Good backup vocals (or any backup vocals for that matter) are something that has been lost in popular rock for some time, “the dark time” if you will, but I feel like lately that has been changing. Quite a bit of the music I have had the pleasure to review recently has featured some standout singing by more than just one member of the band, and Shim’s In The Veins is another great example of this, with each member being listed as a vocalist in the liner notes. Lead singer Ragan Crowe’s crisp, clean vocals have more flavor and fire than alot of rock singers coming out today and his vocal range seems to be just as comfortable and in-control belting the loud as singing the quiet. The other voices in the band also seem to be ever present, often providing a softer counter-harmonies at one moment, and reinforcing the lead line at the next.

Another element sorely missing from popular music these days is intros. I’m talking about intros that slowly ease you into the song, build anticipation, and explore the soundscape. ”Confessions of the Sweeper” (fourth in the play order) on the other hand, has a great intro, a slow burn and buildup straight out of some 80’s movie love scene or a Pink Floyd album, giving the drummer a chance to stretch his legs and start something. The big scream a la Robert Plant at the culmination of the intro seals the deal and makes me love this song before I’ve even heard a word. And If I didn’t already love it enough, this verse at the end makes me love it even more: “So gather round people let me speak some truth\A little confession from me to you\I’m sweepin’ all this shit with my big broom\But I’m the biggest piece of it in this little room\And everytime I point my finger I’m pointin’ it at myself\At myself.” A little bit of self deprecation will definitely get you some credibility in my book.

“Epistemologee,” an 80’s-era Talking Heads styled synth-rock song that is decidedly more rock than synth, is definitely my favorite track off this album. The round singing of the key line and multi-syllable word ”Epistemologee” gives this song something special I can’t quite put my finger on. “Hailstorm” is strongly evocative of Cursive, with the metered Kasher-esque singing, the distorted guitar play, and the complex range of moody textures all on display within a single song. The lead track “Satisfied,” despite having goofy lyrics about working menial jobs and being okay with that, has great instrumentation and guitar play that makes any lyrical transgressions completely forgivable. I have to give mad props for leading into the guitar solo with a half verse of ”and I don’t need a new car/I don’t need to be a dirty rockstar/I’M A WINDOW NINJA,” a short set of lines that manages to pull the song together quite nicely (and only slightly ironically). 

In the previous few months, Shim has definitely fit into the category of “hardest working band in town” playing gigs seemingly every week. These guys are unsigned and don’t have a distribution deal, so their albums are only available in local shops Easy Street and Sonic Boom, but with the exciting live shows I’m told they have (and have been sadly unable to attend up to this point), I suspect that won’t last too long. With fresh guitar hooks, 80’s style synth organ textures, and multi-layered backup vocals, this record adds up to an effort by not your average local bar band. Shim’s sound was made for an Arena, and given that chance, being “dirty rockstar” instead of a “window ninja” at least for a little while, probably won’t sound that bad.  

Listen (mp3) - Epistemologee - Shim from In The Veins

Related

Myspace - Shim

Official Site - Shim