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An Evening with Shane & Shane Recorded at Spaceway Studios
Artists: Shane & Shane
Label: Inpop Records
Tracks: 11
Shane and Shane possess the contemplative effortless vocals often associated with people like James Taylor and Tracey Chapman. However, Producer Rob Poznanski does not sufficiently challenge them to expand their musical horizons with their newest release An Evening with Shane & Shane Recorded at Spaceway Studios. Don't get me wrong Shane and Shane create good music but if they want to create great music then they need to poke and prod in new directions. From my perspective part of that responsibility falls to the producer and part of it depends on the artists' willingness to trust the producer's instincts.
Led by vocalists Shane Everett and Shane Barnard (also on guitar) the band relies heavily on taking their inspiration directly from passages of scripture, so much so that often songs like "Psalm 13" and "Psalm 118" are lifted directly from the Bible. In terms of transposing scripture to music, Shane Barnard, the primary songwriter, can step to the front of the class. You are often left feeling that he is letting you in on some new secret recently gleaned from God's word.
I like the hooky guitar riffs and awesome lyrics of "Psalm 13"but how would we accuse the psalmist of penning poor poetry?
Shane and Shane's music is like a sweet fragrance, something you enjoy, appreciate and lingers but after awhile you desire some subtle changes. You look for elements equally alluring but with enough differences to keep the excitement alive.
The highlights on this album are "The Answer," "Yearn," and "Namesake." The guitar chords on "The Answer" feature some great Latin undertones. With "Name Sake" Barnard and Everett match their passionate vocals well to words such as, "Passion for Your name." "Yearn" puts the spotlight on the drumming duet of Will Hunt and Joey Parish. If you like good drumbeats, watch for this tune as your CD spins.
As capable as the CD is, the DVD falls down terribly. The producers used candles to try and recreate a club environment but it just doesn't happen. The electricity that should exist between good musicians and their audience is lacking. We can only guess why that is but it appears the people rounded up for the role of club patrons are stiff and cardboard like figures. Whether that occurs as a result of direction or reflects the individuals in the audience is open for debate. It does, however, hurt rather than help the band.
From my little corner of the world I would say Shane & Shane would have done well to forgo the extra expense of the DVD and stuck with the CD.
By Joe Montague, exclusive rights reserved
Joe Montague is an internationally
published journalist / photographer. His ministry is dedicated to the memory
of his late son Kent David Montague who went to heaven at the age of 18.
All copyright and distribution rights remain the property of Joe Montague.