With the roots of Shady Cats dating back to 1997, the band has seen many changes since its inception. From playing at local pub, One More Time to perfecting several demos, Shady Cats have just released their debut album, Love Callin’.
Taking an unorthodox approach to producing typical pop rock albums, the band decided to use multiple producers to showcase the songs rather than the sound of a band. Definitely a unique decision, this choice leaves a lack of consistency throughout Love Callin’. While the heavier rock tracks are impressive, the slower ballads quickly lose the listener’s interest.
Not all is lost, however. Despite an inconsistent album, Shady Cats’ debut release provides an accurate portrayal of the bands strength: rock music. When the softer ballads lose appeal, it is the high energy tracks that peak interest. Songs like “I Want Independence” and “She Kisses Me with Her Eyes” provide killer guitar riffs and lively vocals.
The album starts off with title track, “Love Callin.’” With light percussion and guitar accompaniment, frontman Grady Crumpler enters. A tale of trying to keep romance alive, Crumpler sings, “Although we may be torn and frayed/There ain’t nothing I would trade for what we’ve had”.
“Love Callin’” is just an introduction to the album, which describes one of the many stages within a relationship. Whether it’s initial attraction to a woman at a bar on “She Kisses Me with Her Eyes” or the desire to be free on “I Want Independence,” the LP takes the listener on a journey. Sadly, as the album moves from track to track we quickly realize not all couples have a happy ending. On “Desperation” a woman finds out her husband of 10 years has been cheating. In life, nothing is certain and Shady Cats make this realization a reality at the somber end of their release.
Beginning with gritty electric guitar on “She Kisses Me with her Eyes,” Shady Cats grab the listener’s attention wholeheartedly. “I’m standing across the room from her/She looks like a goddess touched down to Earth/She floats across the floor, yeah, she’s a star/She lights up everybody at the bar/She sets heavenly bodies in my skies/She kisses me with her eyes”, Crumpler sings.
“In The Moment” sounds like a Don Henley song and showcases guest vocals from producer Don Dixon (R.E.M., The Smithereens). With a slow and seductive start, the song can be easily pictured being featured in an 80s film.
The stand out track on Love Callin’ is “I Want Independence.” With solid electric guitar and deep vocals reminiscent to that of Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, Shady Cats prove they are a rock band contender. Clocking in at nearly two minutes, “I Want Independence” provides high energy that never wavers. With gritty guitar and riffs throughout, the heavy bass and percussion beat mixed in with Crumpler’s dark vocals, Shady Cats impresses. More tracks like this could only provide the band more recognition.
“Take Me” follows suit with energetic rock and lively vocals while “All the Way” has a more laid back, almost Caribbean feel. At first, this change comes across surprising, but exemplifies Shady Cats’ willingness to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. “All the Way” doesn’t showcase the band’s talent as well as the harder rock numbers and at times, the vocalist falls flat.
Six-minute track “Desperation” ends the album on a sad note. A woman finds her husband has been cheating. A darker piano-driven song, Crumpler sings, “Put away the clothes and under his socks see a letter addressed to a P.O. box/It’s a credit card you did not know he had/The bill shows candy, champagne, lingerie, a hotel room a few miles away/On nights when he said he was working late/Ten years of trust just vaporized, don’t know what’s true or what is lies/The plans you had, never to be realized/How can he look you in the eyes?”.
Taking the listener on a complete journey from the initial attraction at a bar, to 10 years of a relationship ending with mistrust and heartache, Shady Cats provide a telling record. Since they went a different route using multiple producers in the making of the record, as a result some tracks are stronger than others. While their ballads show maturity and longing, it is their rock songs that leave the greatest impact. A few more rock numbers and the album would have regained the flow that lacked within the mix of ballads.
Review by Annie Reuter
