This is a blinding debut from Portland’s Memphis Industries indie outfit THE SHAKY HANDS.
Nick Delffs (also once of CASTANETS) is the main songwriter here, and it’s his voice that wavers and wails above the odd and messy din of opener ‘Whales Sing’ and far, far beyond, shouldering a range of feelings as they edge towards a state of psychosis.
It’s a veritable walk across an emotional tightrope.
Tambourines, whale noises and snoring reverberate and then disorientate by suddenly giving way to a stomping burst of muted guitar rock n roll that hovers with heavy intent above the tightened skip of the rhythm section’s steady pace. These whirling songs ebb and flow like the constant-uptake boom and bust serotonin levels of the mentally ill, but always resurface intact like little miracles.
‘The Sleepless’ lurches along aimlessly, gradually building up and then dissolving under a hail of rattling guitar and sustained keyboard sounds - only to rise again in huge looping bursts. The acoustic rings out beautifully as faraway harmonies give Delff’s distinctive main vocal a glowing quality that truly stands apart. With an understated thumping chorus filled out with piano and skipping percussion, ‘Maker Make’ bounces instantly and easily into your heart.
Stream-of-consciousness lyrics and a grinding string arrangement dizzy the senses during ‘We Will Rise’ and the harmonic half-ragas pour forth at double speed from the pedal steel sitar sounds of ‘Another World Part Two.’
Elsewhere, the staccato slide of the acoustic is insistent and wonderfully clear in ‘I’m Alive’, and this creates a tension by countering the beaten resignation in Delff’s tattered vocal. Bursting into life only for the flame to dim again, it mirrors the rise and fall of the manic depressive’s mood swings with empty enthusiasm.
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‘Sunburns’ is lively and upbeat despite the clinging subject matter – the whistling accompaniment is perfect as an implausible front that barely disguises the fraught and frayed emotional anguish that’s unfolding gradually. ‘Hold It Up’ is thematic, lightning-fast and dark. Hollers and whoops accompany the gathering stormclouds that hover over the whipped-up frenzy as the record finally surrenders to the relentless skip of the pulse. Percussion like machine gun fire peppers the tune in bursts and splashes; it’s a restless, animated joy – a smile in the face of the unknown.
Muted acoustic guitar and handclapping bring the final track into focus. With ‘Summer Life’, there is an upbeat sense of hopeful optimism on hand to combat the pain of regret. The soulful harmonica is the icing on the cake of repentance and the results are euphoric and filled with a sadness that somehow sparkles.
It’s quite difficult to believe that this is the first long-player from this five strong gang of introspective country-loving space cadets, who are due to tour the UK with THE SHINS in the near future. This impressive debut will weld itself to your record deck and once there, it will rarely leave. Get a hold!
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