Lead track 'Smoke and Mirrors' might not have the immediacy of previous single 'Grandeur', but instead conjures a Cure-esque atmosphere with a hint of Talk Talk, using a sparse electro backing. The vocals are low in the mix and cloaked in reverb that hangs in the spaces between the gently picked guitar notes and stammering pulsed rhythms. There's an underground retro feel to the track that's curiously compelling and it’s one of those songs that has a nagging quality that’s hard to deny.
'Birdseed' demonstrates dubbier leanings and paves the way for the centrepiece, the 6-minute 'Snowfall'. Sparse yet beat-driven, stuttering and dense yet strangely subdued, it drips layer upon layer of atmosphere... and then it breaks out with a disco groove. Yessir, it’s got the lot!
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After all of this, the straight indie balladeering of 'Celestial Waters' comes are something of an anti-climax, but at least it reveals another side of the band, proving that they're capable of stepping out of the New Wave / Electropop shadows to explore other styles. They may not have broken through yet, but Shakers in the Dark are definitely making all the right noises here.
Shakers in the Dark on MySpace
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