Here's a review for Shake's "Songs for My Mother" EP. I know this isn't
exactly a new track, but I got my first serious listen to it last night, and
then penned this. I know it's not exactly a standard review either, but I
hope somebody enjoys it.
ThanX
Charlie Dumont
After the "Tracks for my Father" EP I was expecting something gentle and
soothing, maybe flowing melodies, evolving pads, basically a downtempo feel
(should have known better from Shake anyways). So, I was surprised when I
heard the harsh percussion of the first track. However, after some
contemplation of the first listen, and dropping it for another run, it
seemed a perfect fit. This EP portrays a series of snapshots of his mother,
and life with his mother as a child. The harsh percussion makes sense in
that light, an and immediate reminder that mother isn't all rose pedals and
sugar, a good mother has to be firm, hard sometimes. The next piece a
detuned horn hook that sounds almost mechanical, yet faintly warm at the
same time, presents itself as a mother's gentle automatic reminders to "be
careful" "remember what I told you" "don't forget". The depth of meaning
inherent in this subtly grabs the listener with a subharmonic echo of the
horn hook. The most amusing part weaves it's way through the remainder of
the piece popping up almost randomly, a harder hook preceded by faint vocals
that drop in at the beginning, like a mother yelling or simply speaking up
louder to make a child realize "yes, I know what you just said under your
breath, and I meant what I said, now go on". The piece closes on that
subharmonic echo just fading out alone, reminding the listener of the most
important idea of the whole episode.
The next track underpins the mystery and gentleness that is mother. Soft
Spanish guitar hooks to reflect the enigma, persistent clinging in the
percussion as a reminder of the rhythm that is uniquely woman, a soft pad
that is gentle as a mother's touch at night or in need, a reverse cymbal to
punctuate parts and sections bringing a sense of continuity, but as before
there is the harsh kick that is a reminder that there is more to mother.
The second side starts with the daily flow of a mother working, sharp blips
for kicks, and a faint 'ha' providing a protest to life's less exciting
moment. A sad piano hook reverberating the blues and sadness of life moves
in, and is further emphasized by a dark pad giving depth to this message. A
very Juan Atkin's like bass line first tries to bring the soul up to tempo
and then seems to be an incentive to keep moving in time through the day.
The hi-hat pattern in the background reminisces the constant reminder of
children awakening. The piano hook returns, reminding the listener of the
sadness of life just as a new dizzying difficult to follow hook outlines the
unpredictable in life, and a harsh pitter patter like sound in the distance
flows out, as children head off to school and play.
The last track starts with an oscillating pad with harsh voices crying over
it, arguments between mother and child over the backdrop of love. Quick
drum patterns give images of children growing too quickly. A modulating
piano sketches the changing image and voice of a child, and a series of
building pads brings the piece to new levels of resolution a mirror of the
increasing conflict of life and family as a child grows to adulthood.
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