It’s safe to say that Timothy Showalter is one of our most beloved rock & folk heroes. Since the 2014 album “Heal” and gems like “Shut In” or “Goshen97” made it easy to love Strand Of Oaks are still unforgettable memories of Indie. A lot of stuff happened in between it feels and from earlier demise and depression he seems to have recovered and was saved by… well i guess love and music. “In Heaven” is already the sevenths full-lengths and kicks off with the epic “Galacticana”. A superlative slow rocking track which was also the first single.
“I believe that ecstasy happens when we all get together
Standing right in front of me feeding off the energy together
Looking for identity freaking out a little bit together
Just like when we were kids all the bad things we did together”
Music always speaks to me the most when it’s about gracefully ageing, and being able to recognise that things have changed but it’s worth to look forward to what’s ahead of us, rather than looking back. A little nostalgia is allowed.
Strand of Oaks always made room for longer guitar solos and repetitive songwriting and slow build-ups to their songs. Showalter is doing what’s needed; taking your time to deliver well build and ripe structures within the songs. Almost wasteful use of heavenly smooth melodies are another trademark of his work. I fervently hope he will never run out of these and that he we will be continuing to be a witness of his incredible journey. Strand of Oaks is a constant source of perseverance for me helped me through harder times often. I feel that “In Heaven” won’t make a difference in being a stable companion through the rest of the year.
Key Tracks; Somewhere in Chicago, Galacticana, Sunbathers
Written by: Wörn dauerfeuer
