The American consciousness is a melting pot of a musical identity, both primitive and primal. It was born of immigrant sensibilities, that were tempered by location and the need to find a common language. The music that evolved in the new world drew from many and varied cultural sources. The latest incarnation of that cross-pollination and cross-breeding is to be found in the visceral, vibrant voice of Th’ Legendary Shack*Shakers.
The core trio of these U.S. legends are singer, harmonica player, chief writer and frontman extraordinaire Col. J.D. Wilkes; bassist and co-producer (with the Col.) Mark Robertson; and the illustrated man, guitarist David Lee. The drum chair, for this record, is manned by former member Paulie Simmonz as well as by Jerry Roe. Guests include Jello Biafra on backup vocals and the Rev Horton Heat on guitar. Not that these boys need guests, as anyone who has caught their incendiary live shows will testify.
This is Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers' third album and it continues their exploration of the musical demons that dwell in the shadows and side-shows, and come to life in murder ballads and mountain hollers. They have shape-shifted these musics into something new, powerful and, at times, monstrous. They have added blues, punk, polka, klemzer and tendrils of twang to the mix. The cauldron may remind us of a whole lot of things – but the whole, here, is greater than any of the parts.
The mad howl that opens ‘Ichabod’ is a wake-up call, and a call to arms, before it thunders down the track at unstoppable, breakneck speed. Two tracks on, there’s the eminently catchy ‘No Such Thing’, a cut that should be claiming time on the airwaves. Other notable tunes include ‘Somethin’ In The Water’ and the gothic ‘Bible, Candle And Skull’. But Pandelirium is all good from start to finish, a fairground ride through the underbelly of American roots music that will thrill and inspire.
All told, Pandelirium is as powerful a piece of music as you'll hear all year and Th’ Legendary Shack*Shakers should be as feted as the likes of the The White Stripes. They make music that reveals more each time you listen, from the twisted tales of Wilkes’ imagination to the inherent musicality of its underlying roots. Go get it!