Jump In, It’s Swimmin’ Time

Jump In, It’s Swimmin’ Time

By Jake Tully

Between relentless NPR touting and popularity driven from overnight Spotify showcasing, it’s easy to get inundated with Americana duos in present times. However, despite the encroaching fear that one might miss the boat with the next best partners from down South, Charleston husband and wife duo Shovels and Rope prevails. Their latest release, Swimmin’ Time is a charming revue of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent’s tangible chemistry. Even if a minute layer of twee need be dusted off an otherwise polished product, Hearst and Trent needn’t worry about joining the leagues of Civil Wars imposters.

Swimmin’ Time is the type of release that requires splitting hairs to truly dislike. Much like 2012’s celebrated O’ Joyful it’s not difficult to ascertain what one is getting into upon hearing opening track “The Devil Is Around” – Everly influenced harmonies, bombastic percussion to personify the looming fear of omnipotence, and a jangling myriad of instruments comparable to a Nick Cave session. Considering Hearst and Trent come by it honest (seriously, read their bios, we oughta give them this) there’s a hesitancy to label it formulaic. That hesitancy is almost entirely squelched after one complete listen, soon transforming into a warm reverence and if you’re not a complete crab, some toe tapping.

Trent and Hearst have been likened to the moniker of punkabilly, and while the jury is still out on that designation the two should be commended for their well-placed energy all throughout the release. There’s perhaps nothing worse in the new wave of Nashville/Memphis/Charleston than the acts that seem so utterly placid and choose to rely on flattering harmonies and mandolin to save their skin. Shovels and Rope defies the odds and makes something exciting without loosing that Southern charm.

The standout tracks are more or less logical “The Devil Is All Around” and “Coping Mechanism” and therefore insulting explaining their importance. The real gem, “Ohio”, lays two-thirds of the way through the album in all its otherworldly Waits-inspired glory. It’s a small jubilation to break up some otherwise monotonously sprightly anecdotes.

Swimmin’ Time could’ve perhaps used a dash more Flannery O’ Connor and less Kindle Fire commercial spot readiness, but all in all a product of less ubiquitous songwriting and performing.

Visit Shovels and Rope online, on FB and purchase Swimmin’ Time.