August 10 Album of the Month – Shea Seger

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this album – it has been 10 long years since I discovered Shea with her album ‘The May Street Project’ an album that has not left my top 5 albums of all time and one of only a few that I can revisit and be enchanted and enthralled by every time I play it – it is simply a stunning album.

But that was 10 years ago and Shea, for what ever reason hasn’t released a follow-up album ’til now. And I have been very lucky to have been given access to the whole album and two samples (thanks Bill) and I must say that I’m impressed – its good – very, very good; highlighting all that I like about music and all that I like in an album. You may not like it first or second listen (I didn’t) but as with all great albums, after 3 or 4 plays you begin to hear things you, begin to understand the lyrics, begin to enjoy the album, you begin to appreciate what an unique talent Shea is and what an excellent songwriter she is.

As my friends here on MFTM know, I don’t like music industry PR, don’t like the music press that hype up and arse-lick a new band or artist only to slag them off the following year when ‘the next hot band’ comes along. This is definitely not the case with Shea, in fact the opposite is true – she is promoting the album initially through the network of music lovers like us here on MFTM. As Bill from her label (Truthcore Records) said to me “You are the first to hear this record – ahead of radio stations, ahead of the music industry, and ahead of the press. You are Shea’s grass roots and we want as many people to hear this record as possible – this is not a “commercial record”, it will take time, but listen to it, listen again and if you love it more and more then tell your friends… the key to this record’s success lies in you” – I like this approach.

I also believe Shea Seger makes music because Shea Seger wants to – makes music that Shea Seger would want to listen to – make music that is of the highest quality that she knows her fans will like. Maybe that why it’s taken so long for her follow up?

Shea has an unusual almost engaging style, she calls it “mutt dog blues with beats” – whatever that means. I heard that in her last album with its eclectic mix of beats and bops – with her new album I hear a songwriter who cares for her craft, a songwriter who tries to reach perfection with every note, every word. I hear a darker album, more acoustic, less beats and bops. I can hear different influences in her music – Carole King, Janis Joplin even Elkie Brooks (the way she hangs on to a note) – but like any true artist, Shea Seger tries to be nobody but Shea Seger. I can really only hear Shea Seger as she has such a distinctive style – think maybe Joe Henry without the stubble.

There is really not much left to say except listen to the samples – read the lyrics – buy the album.

Last Few Standing

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I read in the paper
they said it happened again
I guess those bridges that you burned
bought their way back up again
so we’re suddenly strangers
someone has to tell you my name
man I saw you last night
it was clear that you had changed
you sold out your mercy
you won the chance to begin
and now you’d be lucky in a fight
to get your ass kicked
by a couple of friends
why didn’t you call me
I would’ve come
I’ve imagined this day
a million times since I was young
you got some reasons
you like to call them your own
they’re just as sure enough
as the gypsy
calls the road his home
you got some pieces
you like to call them a heart
when they’re just the last few standing
after most of it was blown apart
why didn’t you call me
I would’ve come
I’ve imagined this day
a million times since I was young
no it wouldn’t have been easy
tell me what is
I guess it’s what we’ll end up paying
for a stolen kiss
I watched you for hours
those hours turned into years
I’ve watched you spend more time without her
than any mother dares to fear
you got some pieces
you like to call them a heart
they’re just the last few standing
after most of it was blown apart
why didn’t you call me
I would’ve come
I’ve imagined this day
about a million times since I was young
no it wouldn’t have been easy
tell me what is
i think this is what we’ll end up paying
for a stolen kiss

Drummer Boy

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so you got yourself a drummer boy
you put him in the front
it will never be a son of yours
to pay for what you want
justice only goes so far
when a killer wants to hunt
watch your mouth
your tone of voice
can give way to deceit
watch your steps
your ignorance can give way to defeat
watch the starving children
as they’re dying in the street
don’t you know
don’t you know
I guess you don’t know
didn’t your daddy ever tell you boy
this life is not a game
or did he feel he’d done enough
just by giving you his name
don’t you know your history son
the politics of shame
the church who is responsible
for making you their man
present themselves as gullable
like puppets on a hand
i stand here on another shore
to watch this all play out
so helpless to project the truth
what this is all about
don’t you know
don’t you know
I guess you don’t know
it is plain to see
you’ve had your chance
soon your day will come
when the innocent shall rise against
the one they called their own
but go ahead and stall some more
what the hell is another day
because none of yours will bear the chores
or ever take the blame
there is nothing more to answer for
when the garden reaps its hate
and carries on for lifetimes long
while the foxes eat the grapes
there’s always more then you bargain for
when you tempt the hands of fate