By Brian Rock
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers exploded onto the American scene with their 2017 release, Sidelong. Now they’re back to throw gas on that fire with their new album, Years.
Inspired by the early legendary performers of both Country and Punk, Sarah sings a punk country dysfunctional romance in “Good As Gold.” Confessing to her lover that, “I’m afraid of losing everything to you: my heart, my pride…” She then goes on to warn him that if he leaves her alone too long, she might not be there when he gets back. Or as she admits, “You’re as good as gold, and I’m as good as gone.”
With a voice that’s Part Lucinda Williams, part Patti Smith, and part drunken sailor, Sarah Shook sneers and snarls with a twangy touch of tremolo.
On songs like “Over You,” “The Bottle Never Let Me Down,” and “Heartache In Hell,” Sarah unleashes Hell’s fury on her former lovers. Counting them all as just “New Ways to Fail.” She may not know what she wants, but she sure as Hell knows what she doesn’t want. And she’s not afraid to let you know, in language that’s colorful and coarse.
But Sarah’s misfortunes are our treasures, just as an oyster turns its irritations into pearls, Sarah manages to create musical gems from her pain – with the help of her band.
The Disarmers provide the perfect smoke-filled, honky tonk backdrop for Sarah’s visceral vocals. With an authentic Bakersfield sound, punctuated by pedal steel guitar, the band plays as tight and mean as a clenched fist – as if Sarah needed any help packing a punch!
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Brian Rock
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