Buy from Amazon
Finian McKean’s first solo album (post days of frolicking with his Push Kings bandmates) is what I would call a smorgasbord of sound. This is truly an independent album in the sense that McKean and only McKean calls all the shots. The songs are personal and experimental, and seem only for his own musical pleasure and emotional processing. The songs are lyrically heavy, setting a somber tone, yet this is successfully counteracted by the quirkiness of the melodies themselves. Some songs, like “Black Hole” display loud rock guitars; others, such as “Every Day That Passes” involve more of a country twist; then others, such as the sad but inviting “Oh My Heart is Heavy”, focus on McKean’s straight-to-the-point vocals. My personal favourite of the eleven tracks is the album’s opener and title track, “Shades are Drawn”. As well as being musically engaging I find that this song elicits an intense emotive connectedness.
This album is not for people looking for a pick-me-up, but definitely for those who can appreciate his exploration of both art and interior landscapes. Definitely recommended
Maria Giuliani
