lambchops's Full Review: Shimmer [Digipak] by Shimmer
Sporting an eye-catching hot pink and turquoise color palette, Shimmer could have proven much more appealing on the eyes than the ears. In the end, Shimmer is a surprising sophomore effort for frontman Skip Peri and new mates bassist Evan Brubaker and drummer Sean Siner. On the surface they may look like another boring nü metal band, but what they sound like is something entirely unexpected.
Peri and company make immediately appealing soul-influenced pop. Though the band points to Elvis Costello, Prince, George Michael, and Curtis Mayfield as influences I can’t help but lean toward the third in that list. Prior to this album, Peri was a solo artist and with his 2001 debut, Naked, earned positive comparisons to Jeff Buckley. While I can’t say I see any similarity on Shimmer, I can honestly say that there’s much to applaud on this outstanding album.
Naked gave Peri a minor breakthrough, but Shimmer could easily provide the first real step in the right direction. It took the chemistry of a three-piece band to make it happen. It’s an inspired and completely enjoyable effort. They sound like they’re having more fun than should be allowed and the good vibe translates brilliantly across the ten-tracks of the hip and energetic self-titled released. You’d be hard pressed to find a better, freer, and more gratifying summer album this year.
Shimmer kicks off with the groovy Don’t Trip on Your Way Out. Driven primarily by Peri’s soulful yet boyish voice, guitars, percussion, and keyboards it is the kind of song that will plant in your brain. Upbeat, jazzy, and timeless it (and for that matter the rest of this album) will appeal to most everybody that has any affinity for soulful pop ala Maroon 5. Fortunately this song is not the exception. The rule across Shimmer is that Peri can sing and write and they all can play their instruments. These are tightly wound and impressively performed songs.
I can’t help but compare Here I Am’s heavy drum and bass driven beginning to the classic pop anthem Father Figure. Fortunately, outside of that the song is entirely Shimmer’s doing. Roll the windows down and let the wind whip through your hair as you sing along with Peri’s fabulous voice and song. Here I Am has is simply incredible. I can’t say it enough—Shimmer has recorded an album that should be in every stereo, on the radio, and played on MTV. Of course, not everything that should be will be, but for now I will settle for spreading the word about the band.
As the album progresses it is consistently good and easy on the ears. I always appreciate an album that doesn’t require use of the skip button. Needle to the Vinyl is not my favorite song, but it is followed by the smooth and evocative soul of Sweet Love which easily ranks as one of the album’s best songs. Featuring a bass line straight out of the smooth 70’s and those wonderful vocals, the mid-tempo track is unforgettable from the music to the lyrics. This feverish pace continues through Crazy But True and comes to a head on Like a Feather. Returning to the 1970’s, Shimmer does Lenny Kravitz better than the tired retro rocker has done in at least a decade. Like a Feather is clearly one of the best and most radio-ready of the bunch.
Wicked isn’t nearly as pleasing as the other songs, but it is still good and well worth a listen despite its somewhat ponderous pacing and predictable arrangement. Shoulda Known flips back into the retro Kravitz-esque mold that worked so well on Like a Feather. Peri sings earnestly with so much force and honesty that it’s impossible to ignore this wildly entertaining soul-pop-rock-blues track. Violence of Love doesn’t do a heck of a lot for me, but rockin’ guitar driven Who Loves Ya wraps up the whole album nicely. It’s easily the heaviest of the lot, but with that said Peri’s voice is still pure and boyish.
Shimmer presents a diverse and cohesive musical vision. The trio seamlessly interweaves soul, rock, pop and occasionally blues into an energetic and tidy package. If you like Maroon 5 even the tiniest bit then consider picking up Shimmer. It will be well worth the effort.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars (leaving a little room to grow)
Track Listing:
01. Don’t Trip on Your Way Out
02. Here I Am
03. Needle to the Vinyl
04. Sweet Love
05. Crazy but True
06. Like a Feather
07. Wicked
08. Shoulda Known
09. Violence of Love
10. Who Loves Ya
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