The Shivers – Beaks To The Moon

I’ve been listening to the Shivers music for several years now. They do a great job balancing the familiar with the unfamiliar. The diversity of their albums and songs take me from something that I feel comfortable with to something that is new, angst, and generally unpleasant. But then, by the time it really starts to bug me, it’s gone. It becomes easier to breath again.

I think that it what draws me to the Shivers so much. The singer/guitarist of the Shivers, Keith Zarriello, has proven that he knows the difference between what is pleasant to the ears and what isn’t. When it comes to folk melodies, The Shivers are among the best; they very rarely mess up harmonic instrumentals. So why intentionally veer from that into uncomfortable, loud clashing?

[vimeo 1090710]

That’s the beauty of The Shivers. They are musicians who simply don’t care what you want. They know, I would think, that some of their music makes them lose listeners. Those listeners who enjoy their mellow music aren’t going to necessary like their more experimental songs. But the Shivers are okay with that. They are not going to alter their vision to sell more records. By not allowing the listener to influence their music, they are able to stay true to their music, and say and play what they want. Think about how many songs about pain are so pleasantly played instrumentally. Is that always what pain feels like? Keith knows it’s not.

Sure, this could sound like justifications for bad talent. Once you listen to the Shivers music though, and their new album, Beaks to the Moon, you will realize that’s not the case. The Shivers make beautiful, honest music. At times, the truth, or at least Keith’s truth can hurt or be undesirable, but this album is wonderful to listen to. In my opinion it has a perfect balance.

Beaks to the Moon (2008):

The Shivers – Lonely Road

The Shivers – Love Is Good

Album- Charades (2004)

The Shivers – Beauty

The Shivers – L.I.E.

The Shivers – SoHo Party (This is an example of the diversity I’m talking about. Listen through whole song)

Album- Phone Calls (2007)

The Shivers – The Road

The Shivers – Half Invisible

The Shivers – New Direction

Site| Amazon | iTunes | Myspace | 911 Truth (This ones for you, Keith)

My favorite songs on this album include “Lonely Road,” “Feather,” “I Wish I was Never Born,” “Love Is Born,” “Only Mine,” and Beaks to the Moon.” All together, a really solid album from The Shivers, my favorite release of theirs so far.

The Shivers formed in 2001 out of New York City. Zarriello used to be the only consistent musician in the band, but now Jo Schornikow (lead female vocals),  Benham Jones, Will Martina, and Evan Pazner are members.

9 thoughts on “The Shivers – Beaks To The Moon

  1. On the link you’ve got “Love is Born” but the file name says “Love is Good” I DUNNO WAD 2 DO!!1

  2. Haha, thanks Nick! I am notorious for writing track names wrong…it’s just my thing. By the time I write the post and format, I just breeze through the mp3 part because it can be a pain. Hopefully, I have guided you in the right direction.

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