Shaker Hymns Are Your Next Favorite Band Out of Texas
Well I see you got your nose in the dirty music blogs once again when you probably should be paying attention at work or knocking out that honey do list. So what are you in the mood for? A little country soul? Or how about some banging hardcore Southern rock, or earnest Americana? Well the Shaker Hymns are here to try and itch your scratch no matter what you may be hankering with a debut record called The Ties That Bind.
Straight out of the Texas music heartland where they’ve sold who knows how much Lone Star and Shiner while holding court on the stage of the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos where folks like, I don’t know, George Strait and Stevie Ray Vaughan got their start, the Shaker Hymns behind frontman and songwriter Nyles Robakiewicz want to see if they can launch their own legacy by self-releasing ten songs that put on display some serious Southern musical chops.
It’s probably best to consider the Shaker Hymns a Texas Southern Rock band to start. Envision Whiskey Myers, but maybe a little less serration in the tones, and a bit more soul and dedicated attention to songwriting. There’s not really a song on The Ties That Bind that if you pay attention to the lyrics specifically you won’t be impressed with. And some will outright tear at your heart. But how they come across keeps you on your toes for sure.
Since you’ve landed on a country site here, let’s start with what might be the best track on the record (though maybe that’s bias talking), which is the story of a lovesick man pining for a lost woman called “Not Alone.” The crying steel guitar will bring you to your knees if the words of this classic duet style country song don’t. But that’s about as traditional country as the Shaker Hymns get here folks. From there it’s the Muscle Shoals soul of “How To Love,” or the more familiar Texas country rock styles of “Just Fine” or “Rain in Fort Worth.”
This is one of those albums where you almost feel like the singer is spying on you in the way the songs and stories nestle right down in your personal little world, especially if you’re going through a breakup or just did, or like everyone else aside from those well-adjusted bastards, have gone through a breakup in the past. It’s not that Nyles Robakiewicz is a mind reader, it’s just that he knows how to frame emotions in music in a way that’s resonant and universal. The Shaker Hyms feel like the next great Texas music band, and Robakiewicz the next great songwriter and frontman in the scene.
But be prepared as you pour yourself into The Ties That Bind to be blindsided by some full tilt hard rock, starting with “Dodging Bullets.” That’s possibly where these young men inch just out of their comfort zone and native sound, and leave the gift of great songwriting behind. The other hard rock song “What I’ve Become” is where they get it much closer to right, showcasing the power of Robakiewicz’s voice instead of resorting to screams.
As fun as the blazing rock songs may be, the melody of “As I Am” is where this band feels like they sit down in a pocket made for them and them alone, or when they let the songwriting rise above everything else, like in the acoustic track “Bloomfield,” this is what feels like should define the boundaries of their sound, instead of testing the limits of heavy metal. It’s one of a number of songs that has some calling Nyles Robakiewicz a burgeoning version of some of the top Americana songwriters.
The Shaker Hymns are still forging and experimenting with their sound a bit after releasing an EP in 2017. Trying it all out to see what sticks and sells is not a bad thing, while they’re already pushing ahead of many of their peers in the nascent levels of Texas music with a record that is well-produced, will be well-received, and is an unexpected but welcome addition your heartbreak and good times arsenal during an otherwise shitty year.
Turn it up the Shaker Hymns and The Ties That Bind, and enjoy.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8/10)
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This is a streaming only release.
Uncle2Pillow
September 3, 2020 @ 9:21 am
Heard of these guys awhile back. I liked their EP for being similar in some sense stylistically to The Statesboro Revue. Ill have to give this a spin.
Matt F.
September 3, 2020 @ 9:50 am
I’m with you. I like both bands.
DJ
September 3, 2020 @ 9:22 am
Neither of the songs, musically or lyrically, here are bad- not being a professional critic or eloquent or prosaic that’s the best I have to offer.
OlaR
September 3, 2020 @ 10:38 am
The album was on my “to do” list…
The band is listed under country here. It’s not the right format for The Ties That Bind.
With 3-4 country leaning tracks the album morphs into an EP.
The other tracks are not country & not my kind of music. For rock music fans on the other hand…well…they will find a couple songs too.
My highlights: “Right Or Wrong”, “Not Alone” & “Rain In Fort Worth”.
Trigger
September 3, 2020 @ 10:42 am
“The band is listed under country here.”
Thought I was pretty expressive to the point of being redundant that this is more Southern rock and Texas music, which is very commonly covered here, especially when it includes country songs as well.
OlaR
September 4, 2020 @ 7:42 am
Sorry…my fault.
What i wanted to say: the album is listed under country on Google Play (here in Europe) & in my opinion the album is not-so-country.
Was writing two comments at the same time…not my best idea.
Kevin Smith
September 3, 2020 @ 11:27 am
With a name like Shaker Hymns I would expect this to be a gospel band. But its actually a rock and roll band.How strange.
618creekrat
September 3, 2020 @ 12:43 pm
Kinda like Folk Family Revival? 😉
Trigger
September 3, 2020 @ 12:46 pm
In the era of band names like Diarrhea Planet, I’m not sure I would ever take a band name literal. Also, if there was a band that played Shaker hymns named Shaker Hymns, I think that would be a terrible name. Like it for these guys.
baron85
September 8, 2020 @ 7:40 am
While they have literally nothing to do with country music despite being based out of Nashville, I just want to weigh in that I’m still bummed that Diarrhea Planet called it quits last year. Genuinely great band with a genuinely terrible name.
Digging this Shaker Hymns album. Good rec.
Amy
September 3, 2020 @ 12:11 pm
I saw this band at a smaller, more intimate venue and they were INCREDIBLE. They were amazing live and just all around great people as well. I’m happy to see great artists getting the attention they deserve!
Hank Charles
September 3, 2020 @ 12:50 pm
Enjoyed it, solid outing for a debut album and it finishes really strong.
“Christmas Eve” is a super fun song.
Blackh4t
September 3, 2020 @ 12:54 pm
I was annoyed that the album was streaming only, do i emailed them and it got back a very nice email that said it will be on bandcamp asap.
Good sound, will support them.
618creekrat
September 3, 2020 @ 12:56 pm
Would they be Rock & Western? They’re definitely Rock, but a bunch of their cuts have that wide open atmospheric feel of being away from it all.
I like the album. Kinda reminds me of Statesboro, Folk Family Revival, Lucero, and some American Aquarium. And there was a pinch of Whiskey Myers and DBT in there, too. I’ll bet they kick ass live.
Jake
September 4, 2020 @ 7:00 am
I haven’t heard the whole album yet, but the 2 songs posted up top have Burn.Flicker.Die. era American Aquarium vibes for sure. Can’t wait to hear the rest.
Di Harris
September 3, 2020 @ 2:54 pm
Yes please, on some bangin’ hardcore Southern rock.
If only.
WHAT is the deal with most music being “produced” today, sounding like crap, recorded in a tunnel?
Am about ready to be taught/instructed/guided, on how to produce great music that doesn’t sound like it was recorded between 2 tin cans with a piece of string.
Bet after 2 weeks of intense instruction by someone who knows what they are doing, i would be finding a sound
Somebody needs to step up.
I bet these guys are really good live
Corncaster
September 3, 2020 @ 3:50 pm
“WHAT is the deal with most music being “produced” today, sounding like crap, recorded in a tunnel?”
“Reverb” units that were once very expensive are now very affordable, but that doesn’t really answer your question. My guess is that a lot of young creative people are “searchers.” They’re impressed by scenery, they have “longings,” and they don’t have enough experience yet to write songs of wisdom and power. So they use what they think is a sonic equivalent of that.
Or they just have the money to buy sonic toys are are just f***ing with us.
Di Harris
September 3, 2020 @ 4:23 pm
Thanks for ‘splaining!
Was beginning to think maybe it was just me.
Do not mean to come off as arrogant.
Am pretty confident by nature.
Also know what absolutely ignorant of.
Ex: i couldn’t build a house if you put a gun to my head.
And, i think one of the sexiest things ever, is a guy with a tool belt around his waist, making/fixing something. Almost mesmerizing. Could sit/stand, watch for hours.
But doggone!
Really do think that after 2 weeks of intense observing/learning, could put music out that doesn’t sound like total crap.
Trigger
September 3, 2020 @ 4:16 pm
I think the production on this album is excellent. I’m not hearing any production issues at all, and that’s coming from someone who regularly calls those issues out. I think production is one of this record’s strengths. I agree with your comment in general, but not with this record. But of course, that’s an opinion I guess.
Di Harris
September 3, 2020 @ 4:52 pm
Ok. Noted.
Thank you.
It might just be me.
Bet i would really like the experience of hearing them live
Jake Cutter
September 3, 2020 @ 6:56 pm
You’re not wrong… there’s a lot of reverb on this, some songs more than others. The second and 3rd songs have a lot of delay (echo) on the vocals that makes you think of a tunnel. I don’t like that sound either, but it’s subjective.
Di Harris
September 3, 2020 @ 8:25 pm
Ok, so this was really bugging me…
Found Blaine’s Pub website, & Shaker Hymns singing & playing, Heat of The Fire.
Sounds Great.
Like the song/vocals/instruments.
MUCH cleaner sound (to me)
Jake Cutter
September 3, 2020 @ 8:53 pm
That mix is pretty well done and almost completely dry (meaning no reverb). Thus the instruments and the vocals sound more ‘up front” and not muddy and distant.
Here’s a basic explanation of reverb:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDuGBRkM-9o
Di Harris
September 3, 2020 @ 9:14 pm
I know what reverb is big dummy
💚
But, i still don’t know how to build a house …
Heat of The Fire sounds great doesn’t it?
Really like their sound, on the thingy from Blaine’s Pub.
Okay Jake, going to the link you provided, now
CR
September 4, 2020 @ 1:38 pm
Came here to see if I was alone. I am not. The production made this album un-listenable. I want to like it, and I’m sure they are great live (as many have said), but that production is not good.
Jerseyboy
September 3, 2020 @ 3:00 pm
Trigger are you familiar with the Shakin’ Apostles from Austin, great bar band and also not at all Gospel. I like these guys!
Trigger
September 3, 2020 @ 4:19 pm
Yes, older band. Are they still around? Haven’t heard about them in a while.
Chaser
September 3, 2020 @ 5:00 pm
Heard these guys a while back and really liked them. Their new album reminds me a bit of Flatland. Great stuff and hope to catch them live soon.
618creekrat
September 3, 2020 @ 7:32 pm
Yeah, the country-ish cuts sound like Flatland minus the fiddle.
Cameron
September 3, 2020 @ 7:48 pm
Thanks for the article. They are ok. Sound is good. Vocals are a bit weak. You’re spot on they are a bobo Whiskey Myers.