One Track Mind

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It is not uncommon for artists to take spiritually grounding sojourns to exotic lands, as The Shaky Hands‘ Nick Delffs did in India for a month and a half earlier this year. However, instead of returning with a duffel bag filled with sitars and tablas, Delffs came back with a renewed appreciation for the rich traditions of rock ‘n roll. He immediately began setting to music the lyrics he’d written in between visits to temples and ramshackle marketplaces, and the resulting compositions form Let It Die, the band’s third LP set for release by Kill Rock Stars on September 29th.

“Allison and the Ancient Eyes” clearly illustrates this back to basics approach. Its initial rhythms and jaunty, jangly guitars have something of Stealers Wheel about them, and Delffs’ vocals possess an especially Dylanesque resonance. This isn’t simply a retro affair, though–listen closely and you’ll catch some pastoral guitar licks worked into the fray among the shifting dynamics. The Shaky Hands apply handclaps like hot glue down this track’s seams, holding the verses and choruses together nicely. Instantly familiar, “Allison and the Ancient Eyes” simultaneously pulls together traditional elements while maintaining a personality of its own.