I feel as though I’ve lost something… No, not lost, but forgotten something. Something that was so present in my life once upon a time, but now has been buried under the burden of adulthood. Each day passes before my eyes as I drone on, carrying around my list of priorities, expectations, and what-have-you’s. I keep my regrets bundled in my back pocket so that I can’t help but sit askew. Four extraordinary young women from Ft. Collins, Colo., have cleared that fog from my eyes, reminding me of my forgotten companion. It’s child-like wonder, and it radiates through these songs as a ray of light through the morning mist.
Just Crazy Enough, the new album from the sister act known as SHEL, makes me smile. That might sound like a rather plain statement, but it’s deeper than you may think. This sophomore release is more than just a fun collection of tunes, though they bring them in spades. The tracklisting overflows with a spirit that wraps you in a loving embrace, lifting you up to the rooftops and cradling you in its comforting reassurance. It cracks open the shell of apathy and makes you grateful to be in this moment. I can’t help but be sad due to all the time I’ve spent letting life beat me down, but I’m so happy to have found a momentary reprieve.
“Alright,” you say, “Barry has lost it.” Fair enough, let us embark upon the finer details of this charming release. For those who were fortunate enough to snag a copy of the group’s limited time fan-release, The Laboratory Sessions, you might notice a few familiar faces. Three tunes have been overhauled for this release: “You Could Be My Baby,” which now pulsates with an even more resounding low end, reminiscent of the Beatles’ “Come Together;” “Moonshine Hill,” the Appalachian foot-stomper about being selective in our vices, now featuring a choral intro and extra guitar, bass, and background vocals that fill previously found airy space; and “Stronger Than My Fears,” the soft, finger-plucked guitar closer that now features subtle electronic, symphonic overtones, as well as chanting that brings to mind the African Savanna.
SHEL has always brought us interesting sounds and styles, touching on genres such as folk and classical, while rolling each song into an accessible, catchy package. Here we find them going a step further, incorporating Liza’s deft beat-boxing [“Rooftop”] that previously was only displayed during their live performances. Not only that, but after the inclusion of Led Zeppelin’s “The Battle Of Evermore” on their debut album, the ladies have decided to venture once more into rock tributes, presenting us with a truly chilling rendition of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” As Metallica has been one of my favorite bands for over 15 years, I’ll admit that it was difficult for me to hear it in such a strikingly different arrangement, but the Holbrook sisters have been so creative in their approach and I can’t fault their results. While I wouldn’t put Just Crazy Enough head and shoulders above SHEL’s previous releases, it remains as stunning as all their work has been thus far. If you’re anything like me, Just Crazy Enough is sure to put a smile on your face.
Buy Just Crazy Enough at: iTunes | Amazon
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