Its been 2 weeks or so since we released the new album into the wild… and we’ve received some really nice reviews from a handful of blogs and print sources. Here’s what we’ve gathered so far, the most recent one from our own local rag, the East Bay Express:
“This album is built of many parts, but there’s no question that Skip Allums’ voice pulls it all together. Whether snaking through some dusty, Gram Parsons-ish California desert or hollering over a New Orleans-y brass band (courtesy of Ralph Carney), his smooth croon draws you in and makes you want to stay. Add to that some really solid songs and a tight band that features Sam Tokheim’s pedal steel prominently and you’re in good shape. In fact, Beautiful Was the Night is a great album. It sounds gorgeous, thanks to Eliot Curtis and his analog amusement park, Tones on Tail Studios.” - East Bay Express
“The band adds brass (courtesy of Ralph Carney) to “Brother,” rocks a Velvet Underground rhythm riff on “Evangeline Blues” and strikes a New Orleans groove for the closing “(I’m Not) Gonna Waste Another Song on You,” but it’s their weathered Americana that remains their calling card.” - No Depression
“Stream The Shants new album: Beautiful was the Night…” - The Bay Bridged
“With their full length debut, Beautiful was the Night, set for release September 27, the band is about to garner more praise. The album maintains the haunting, meandering sound from the EP that made me want to root for The Shants, but tracks like “Brother” and the closer “(I’m Not) Gonna Waste Another Song on You” reveal a brass swagger.” - SF Station
“Stompy bayou music!” - CD Baby, Music Discovery Podcast
“Fantastic. A first-rate tribute to the state of Louisiana.” - Rebel Rod, KGSR, Austin
“Sometimes it is just good to get away; away from the city, away from work, away from the hustle and bustle lifestyle, in order to discover things about the world, and yourself, that sometimes just get buried in distractions and stimulation. What better way to assist this journey of isolation and self unearthing than an old style, country blues with a modern rock twist? Well, one not need to tread too far outside of their Bay Area mecca to find such a entity. Skip Allums, Sam Tokheim, Carver Cordes, and Adam Burstein are The Shants, a band of such talents out of Oakland that embodies that discovery in their folksy musical style” - Rabbits Black blog
“Paints a beautiful picture of Louisiana. Beautiful was the Night offers subtle music with a touch of country and folk, in which Sam Tokheim excels at a lonely-sounding pedal steel guitar. Gritty, unconstrained… with a sharp, dark edge & burning guitar riffs, this record is perfect for an Indian summer.” - Alt-Country Forum (Netherlands)
