This is IS SHEPHERD'S second release, following from 2008’s ‘Ascendez Vous’. ‘Songs For Sons’ came about as the result of Singer/guitarist Ben Trenerry’s wife falling pregnant (ironically a daughter was born), and this six track effort shows in his lyrics which are taken up with thoughts of his impending fatherhood, new responsibilities, his own parents and the world in general.
The band comprises Ben, along with Bob Douglass, vocals, drums, guitar and John Pope, upright & electric bass, organ, and piano. The music on this mini album falls within the category folk/folk rock and is very good in places.
Opening track ‘Generations’ is a slow, atmospheric folk song with some really good harmonious vocals, the mood in this song is wistful and reflective: - “Drowning in blame/ Oh, so much blame for the choices made.” Ben sounds almost sorrowful, as he laments: - “All her virtue, all her grace stripped, stripped away.”
‘Pine Box’, which follows could not be more different. With a driving drumbeat and twangy rockabilly guitar, this shows a harder edge and some good rocking. Ben’s vocals are altogether more menacing: - “You are cut by thorns, you took the wrong way home, boy.” I found this one hugely enjoyable.
‘Garden’ is a slow builder, a largely acoustic track which gave off a similar atmosphere for me as REM’s ‘Nightswimming’ in this Ben bemoans “the destruction of our Eden.” And offers up a world weary: - “I don’t know what to do with my time.”
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‘Forever More’, is altogether more upbeat and hopeful for the future, with a melody based around organ and guitar, and with some good harmonies. ‘Disappointed’ is an excellent track based around a guitar melody and features some deeply personal lyrics about wanting to escape regrets: - “Now I don’t wanna feel disappointed, when I look back over the years/ There are things that I have done I should have avoided/I should have made myself much more clear.”
Finally, ‘Generations’ reprises with a bang, a harder edged rock song built around the line “We can’t take it with us when we’re gone.” Overall, I really liked this mini album, one of the things that made it for me was the strength of the lyrics, always heartfelt and deeply personal, it seemed like Ben was baring his soul at times. Is Shepherd is a band well worth giving a listen. You will not be disappointed.
Download Songs for Sons from Bandcamp
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