Sarah Shook & the Disarmers – Revelations
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers have long been one of my favorite ways to spend a night out. Their shows at Denver’s hi-dive, in particular, have always been a perfect mix of great, loud cowpunk, rapt audiences and excellent people-watching – everything you want in a club show. Bandleader River Shook has long sought to capture that intensity, and that clarity of purpose, on the band’s very-good-but-not-quite-amazing records. On their new album, Revelations, Shook has grabbed the producer reins and paired their raw vision with what is by far the best set of songs they’ve written, giving this excellent live band an absolute must-own record.
Revelations’ title track pairs pedal steel and twangy electric guitar with an early 80s U2 bass-and-drum groove as Shook considers not only their own mental health – “Black cloud followin’ me around, little storm in my head” – but the difficulty of managing it in a strictly for-profit society – “Hey baby I’m barely gettin’ through each day/Breakin’ my back for a pittance paid.” This struggle is real enough for anyone, but ever more so for a touring band in post-pandemic 2024 (a constant reminder to listeners – buy music, buy T-shirts, buy merch). The next song, “You Don’t Get to Tell Me,” is a slice of 90s alt-rock that finds Shook at their truculent, authority-flaunting best, spitting out a challenge to pious B.S. – “We don’t need no god to feed each other good.”
Shook’s life – as an artist, as a queer person in the South – has run them across all manner of bad actors. The fast country shuffle of the in-your-face “Motherfucker” leaves no doubt as to how Shook feels about creeps, whether they be barflies or record execs – “Old man actin’ like he didn’t know better” – but finds bitter, Dante-esque satisfaction in knowing how it’ll all work out – “When I die and split hell wide open gonna be some sight to see/And I’ll gladly burn forever knowin’ you’re stories deeper than me.” The demons are a little less obvious (and a little more internal) in “Backsliders,” a steely lament that any service industry worker (as Shook was) will know – the hazards of coupling with coworkers: “Hate I can’t say no as easily as you say yes/I’m a real piece of shit and you’re a vixen in a dress.” Turns out, it’s tough to avoid temptation when it’s right there. Every single day.
Brief flashbacks like “Backsliders” help fill in the picture as to where Shook finds themself now – unapologetically queer, and more than a little pissed off about belligerent human obstacles. Album capper “Criminal” is a gothic punk country expression of self, with Shook plaintively singing “If lovin’ you will always be a crime/I will always be a criminal.” Like Shook and their band’s music, it’s simple and free of frills or justification – like it, or get out. Even with all of the changes they’ve been through, Shook is still as punk as punk gets.
Song I Can’t Wait to Hear Live: “Jane Doe” – in addition to Shook leveling up their songwriting, Revelations is also notable for the best singing they’ve put to record, and this determined break-up song is the prettiest of the bunch.
Revelations was produced by River Shook, engineered and mixed by Ian Schreier and mastered by Brent Lambert. All songs written by Shook. Musicians on the album include Shook (vocals, rhythm and electric guitar), Blake Tallent (electric and acoustic guitar), Jack Foster (drums, percussion), Andrew Lambie (bass) and Nick Larimore (pedal steel).
Go here to order Revelations (out March 29): https://www.disarmers.com/store/Music
Check out tour dates here: https://www.disarmers.com/tour
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Key to the Highway: Sarah Shook & the Disarmers
Ever since first hearing Sarah Shook and the Devil I’ve been hooked. Can hardly wait for Fridays mail !