Nation Full of Ivy

 The Shackeltons are dramatic.

Do not be mistaken—this is not a negative description. This music is dramatic in both scope and arrangement, which makes for a refreshingly unique experience.

These guys hail from Chambersburg, PA, and have established a significant fan base due to their recent signing with Seattle-based Loveless Records and generous play from indie radio station KEXP.

Initial comparisons to Joy Division are accurate enough, but there is something more aggressive and urgent going on with the Shackeltons. “Yellow Cadillac” is a prime example, with slight dissonant guitar plucking eventually erupting into a sort of frenzied post-punk anthem. Where Joy Division pushed you to the edge of your musical psyche, the Shackeltons shove you overboard.

These guys are a real spectacle live, and producer Sam Jones (of Wilco documentary fame) has done a commendable job capturing the raw intensity of The Shackeltons. The mix is consistent and nothing feels overly forced. The only concern I have is in regards to preserving their live spontaneity. This is a band that is used to headlining local shows and playing to very accepting crowds, and I can only hope that opening for bigger bands and playing to less enthusiastic crowds does not break their spirit, because the live show is where these guys hook you.

Honestly the album is really solid. “Get Out” and “Tremble” are the standout tracks for me, but “Your Movement” is probably the most representative song on the album. “The Breaks” is a brooding rocker that really captures the band at their best—robotically timed guitars, rolling bass, Sean Hallock’s unrelenting beats and the inspired desperation of Mark Redding’s vocal delivery.

After listening to a few tracks you may quickly begin to think that Redding is actually insane, and this is part of the Shackeltons charm, as odd as that might sound. Redding is ripping his heart out and dangling it in front of your face, but there is nothing whiney about his delivery—he is genuine and aggressive. His live performance is a sight to behold, as he flails his body around without any noticeable regard for safety. Redding throws himself all about the stage, convulsing among a surreal diorama of Christmas lights and torn flowers, issuing a profound warning about something that you can’t understand but can definitely feel. It’s all urgent and imperative and dramatic. There’s that word again.

In the end, I am happy with the album. Because I have seen their intense live shows, I held a higher standard than most for this record, but it holds it’s own. It took a few listens, but in the end I think that this is a fair and good representation of the band. This album is The Shackeltons. It is raw. It is violent at times and extremely danceable at others. If you have ever liked Joy Division or Interpol or The Strokes, then you NEED to listen to these guys…I hope that didn’t sound too dramatic. 

8/10