Music

Track Of The Week: "Shut In" by Strand Of Oaks

by Chris Budd

June 20, 2014

I’m completely addicted to this song. Take a listen to “Shut In” by Strand Of Oaks.

Strand Of Oaks is the recording identity of Timothy Showalter, a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter, and next week, he’s set to release his fourth record, Heal, via Dead Oceans. One of my co-contributors on Indie Music Filter professed her love for this record. and because I trust her fantastic ear for new music, I dove into the album this week. I was actually surprised I missed this release, as normally I pay a lot of attention to new music from Dead Oceans.

Showalter wrote 30 songs in three weeks after returning home from too long on the road. While his previous records were more skeletal, raw examples of folk-rooted Americana with occasional rock and electronic currents, Heal‘s focuses on a new beginning—a full-tilt sound that draws on Showalter’s love of ’70s, ’80s and ’90s rock and pop, with the singer playing the intense valedictory confessor. Choosing to have alt-rock icon John Congleton mix the record, Showalter added synth expert / studio engineer extraordinaire Ben Vehorn and drummer Steve Clements to his studio recordings.

I chose “Shut In” as one of many great songs I could have featured, but I had to choose just one. Take a listen to this raw depiction of several difficult years, broken relationships, and debilitating addictions, sung with pure emotion and honesty.

Oh, and that powerful guitar solo…