Cavaliers
Shovels & Rope 09/26/2013 : Metro – Chicago, IL
by Brenton Goodrich
There’s always something about seeing a band for the first time that has been awhile coming. My first listen to Shovels & Rope was “yeah this rocks in a way I’ve never heard before…..I will see this live”. Finally became reality and the only disappointment was that they couldn’t just keep playing. Maybe have a couple whiskeys with them and then just keep playing. They are one of those bands who simultaneously capture the crowd while seemingly enjoy nothing but performing for each other on stage. They…being a married two…Cary Ann and Michael…both so musically capable of trading off between the makeshift keys/drumkit/stompbox and guitar, and both delivering incredibly affecting vocals. They play guitar like I so often like….roughness and passion only overshadowed by strong talent. This much talent for a duo should mean something to even the most casual Metro attender.
They started the show with two lesser known tunes, which worked well as we all positioned ourselves in the best spot possible at this tiny venue. Title track “O’ Be Joyful” got things going and one of my favorite tunes, “Cavalier”, which defines this band, was especially fun. (“Some people call it rock and roll and some people call it pop. Some call it country music every time you use a fiddle. How am I supposed to know if that’s a fact or just a riddle? Too tight around the edges, leave a little room to wiggle.”). The first bluesy riff of “Tickin’ Bomb” rang out and moved me like needed energy on a sleepy day. They seemed genuinely enthused at the size of the crowd and fed off the energy as the night commenced. A few new tunes were well received as was the huge “Birmingham”, complete with its country twang meets pop rock sway. One of their more slightly jammy tunes, “Shank Hill St.” was truly intense and a highlight with broken guitar strings and swaying cymbals, that were mostly a separate instrument by themselves. One of our favorites, “Hail Hail”, towards the end of the set just rocked…one of the tracks the band took a ‘don’t fuck around’ attitude towards.
We were all smiles at not only this warm southern couple (we described Cary Ann as Dolly Parton), but also as a great musical experience with a band that hopefully has much more music to come. The less is more aesthetic continues to impress and intrigue me and songwriting of this nature will keep me looking forward to whatever this mix-genre rock duo has to offer in the future. Cavaliers or not.