by Zak Mercado (@ciaoguaglione)
Whether a group or musician says it or not, there’s usually some type of ethos underlying well-made music. There’s not only some amount of skill or nous or general taste that informs the music created. There’s often a morality to the music and the people creating it that is self-aware and aware of how the audience might interpret that. It’s normally never spoken of, but is heard through compelling tunes, beats, and dynamics. Where it is spoken, like hardcore scenes or music tied to Rastafarianism, for example, it becomes totemic to the overall feel and story of the artist or group.
On Shop Regulars’ self-titled record, the musical project’s ethos is laid bare on the album cover for all to see. It’s a bold move. This move could backfire easily for many artists, but the music presented absolutely lives up to the ethos they announce. They project it with beautifully crunchy results. The music feels, simultaneously, like both a well-worn and fresh t-shirt being put on for the first time or millionth time. The projected ethos is a perfect guide for recognizing the greatness of the record.
“FACT: Compelling music can be made without training or proper equipment.”
Listening to this record, there appears to be some training, in the rhythm section, in the guitar and bass playing, but there is a satisfying simplicity, for the most part, underlying all of the music on the record. It’s done purposefully and effectively. It’s not a Sex Pistols approach of aggression. There’s a measuredness and restraint to all of the songs. The album opener “Mischief” ruminates, in a ramshackle manner nonetheless, on just a couple of chords. The recording is superb. The guitars are panned — playing similarly but dissimilarly enough to create a manic effect, that, in some strange way, against all odds, is sweet. The sweetness is arresting and overwhelming. There’s a bit of “Sister Ray” here (not the last VU reference in this review), but without the downtown Manhattan brooding.
“FACT: Chord changes and complex musical structures serve ONLY to confuse listeners and performers alike”
Here’s where some of the cheekiness of this exercise comes in. Maybe there aren’t many “chord changes” in the guitar and bass guitar playing, but there are definitely changes in notes. On “Off Season Walker,” the minimal but propulsive changes in notes almost reaches a meditative state. Being the shortest track on the record, it locks into quicker energy. It’s dance-able. No confusion there.
“7 winds” contains these mini guitar runs around the frets and, again, the beat is driving; however, the driving force is not towards traditional song structure or chord changes. You get it? The simplicity leaves no room for confusion in what you’re deriving from the song. The message doesn’t have to be in your face. It’s interesting nonetheless. The harmonica on that track adds a special, simple sauce — a light mayo on the music BLT—- a bit sweet, smooth, refreshing, and satisfying.
“FACT: ELECTRICITY is as fundamental to music as RYHTHM and MELODY. HARMONY can be dangerous and is best avoided.”
“Emerson Run Down,” the longest track on the record, at times reaches the “European Son” quick and unwieldy guitar playing, but it’s in control the whole time, melodic, and likely loud live! Just like some of those crunchier Velvet Underground songs, the playing style of Shop Regulars almost forces the listener to be aware of the source of energy, or where energy is being emitted from — electrified amplifiers and recorded with electric means, plugged into the wall. A lot of music seeks to remove the listener from that. In their mini-manifesto, perhaps it is harmony that removes the listener from electricity or awareness of it. Bringing the listener to it is a visceral experience, a reminder of humanity, nuking solipsism, because contact has been made.
“FACT: It CAN happen to YOU.”
On, album closer “I’m Going to Greece,” another steady drum and guitar strum pattern builds a microcosmic world, again, in a sweet and familiar way. In all, the record feels like it’s happening to you. Yes, YOU the reader, the listener.
“STOP: REJECT APATHY”
Not presented as a “fact,” but the overarching statement, and heading to the record, the overarching ethos is this: “reject apathy.” An intent or even casual listener to this Shop Regulars record must reject apathy. Music brings people together, communities of like-minded people. It also moves. This record, and much of the Shop Regulars catalogue is moving, in an unexpected way. This is likely one of the best “rock” releases of the year. It’s an invitation to see the world a little bit differently. Hopefully apathy dissipates as more listeners come to it and its ethos.