A beautiful, storytelling album. Andy Shauf's The Bearer of Bad News. Released this year but recorded over a number, largely in Shauf's parent's basement in Regina, Saskatchewan. The influence of Elliott Smith is strong on several tracks, both in terms of its melodies and narrative line.
But that's not the whole story. I'd really like to post the whole album here, it's so strong. Just the kind of warm and soulful record you want to immerse yourself in during an increasing bleak and cold month of December, Christmas approaching but still a couple of weeks of work to get through. Assaulted daily by news of bombs dropping and people dying in Syria and elsewhere. This offers some solace in a world that seems to be going increasingly insane. That after all is music's job.
Every track on here is incredibly song. Shauf crafted them lovingly over years and the work he put in reaps its rewards here. This record will last. It has such a strong sense of place that it makes you feel that you're perched on a barstool, walking the streets, or sat in the basement with Shauf himself in Regina. It's cold out there but warm in here. Smith is often there too, in some songs more than others. But it's always an acceptable influence. Smith after all was damned good. Shauf takes him somewhere new.
As I said the whole record's great and I'd like to post it in its entirety. It's one of those albums that as you listen through to it, it's very difficult to choose highlights because everything is so consistently strong and nuanced. It has a voice and a remarkably sure and assured one given Shauf's tender years. Get yourself to YouTube and Spotify. Or down to your local record store.
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