published: 12 /
11 /
2003
Label:
Glitterhouse Records
Format: CD
New 'Best of' compilation from the "graceful and elegant " Walkabouts, who remain pretty much a secret outside Central Europe
Review
I lost touch with the Walkabouts around the time they signed to Virgin in '96. That was just a short affair lasting two albums. 'Shimmers' is, therefore, mostly new stuff to me, but it is pleasing to hear they have carried on performing and making sublime music.
The band started their career on Sub Pop and were the only non grunge band on the label but only two songs from that period, 'Bordertown' and 'Poor Side of Town' are represented here. Their new home is Germany's Glitterhouse records which is a label that had adopted many fine U.S. artists and bands.'Shimmers' is a fine 'Best of', perfectly played, graceful and elegant. At times it is sad and in places country-sounding. The vocals, which are sung by the group's two front people, Chris Eckman and Carla Torgerson, are crystal clear.
2 songs, 'The Stopping Off Place' and 'A Prayer for You' remind me in their vocal style of Robert Forster of the Go Betweens, and Pennyblackmusic's very own favourites, the recently split Baptiste.
Fine stuff indeed ! Pity though the band is still pretty much a secret outside central Europe !
Track Listing:-
1
Drown
2
The Light Will Stay On
3
Radiant
4
The Stopping-off Place
5
Winslow Place
6
Unwind
7
Man from Reno
8
Prayer for You
9
Bordertown
10
Poor Side of Town
11
Till I Reach You
12
Rebecca Wild
13
Findlay's Motel
Label Links:-
http://label.glitterhouse.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GlitterhouseR
https://twitter.com/glitterhouserec
https://www.youtube.com/user/Glitterho