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Shep and Me : Cloudy Chowder -LP- (US,2008)**°
private Caethua / Shep and Me : -tape- (US,2008)**?
Shep and Me did a tape before with Caethua (Sep’s track was accidentally destroyed a bit in my tape recorder, which I haven’t used in years), and now have their own LP, with a silkscreen cover on a reused inside out old LP cover (and a stencilled booklet with photographs and lyrics). It’s poor man’s music with its own charm, while also revealing a talent for using noise from electric and distorted guitar picking sounds as soundscaping material too, even when this is only sparsely done (it is highly effective). I love the high pitched voice singing of Matt, (American accent) (sometimes as a telephone voice) with his guitar and an occasional slide whistle, Yamaha keyboard or Hammond organ. Additionally we have Ben Grubb on mandolin and (second voice) vocals and wine glass and Dan Beckman on guitar and electronics, Boom Chick on second vocals, A.M.O.S. on lapsteel and wineglass, Brian Tongue on steel string guitar, Jason Flack on trombone and electronics, Drew Ryan on percussion, Mr.Marcus on styrofoam. The album definitely has its own charm, and distinguish itself from most lo-fi albums with just that little bit more talent, despite which they seem to keep it simple, there is a lot happening to make also each produced and found sound, foot stamp and string touch attractive. There are some favourite tracks that will make it to airplay (5,10,12).
