Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
Shinyribs started as a side project of Kevin Russell in 2007 when The Gourds weren’t touring . Since then, Shinyribs have released 3 albums and are about to release their 4th, I Got Your Medicine. Since The Gourds went on sabbatical in 2013, Shinyribs went from a side project to a full fledged act. They got the personnel and the material to successfully navigate that transition. I may say there was very little transition at all. Before I forget, I just wanted to say that Shinyribs actually have some flute parts in I Got Your Medicine. I was just thinking the other day, what ever happened to flute in rock and roll? And my question was answered by Shinyribs.
As for a description of their music, it is going to be difficult. They are such a melting pot of different styles and genres, it will be nearly impossible to narrow it all down. Definitely rock and roll, R&B, country, blues, funk, 70s rock, and some jazz. To get a good understanding, you just have to listen, I suppose. It is easy to do that because the songs are of the highest quality. And did I mention some flute? The album was co-produced by Jimbo Mathus who started the Squirrel Nut Zippers and went on to record numerous solo albums (listen to Confederate Buddha by Jimbo Mathus).
I Got Your Medicine makes it very difficult to pick favorite tracks because all of the 12 tracks are outstanding. I have listened three times and still can’t pick out any tracks that stand out more than the others. The album is so well balanced that they are all amazing. The songs are all well written and not too heavy.
As a responsibility to my audience, I will tender a guess at picking some standout tracks. Ambulance (Track 11) is a nice boogie woogie number about being in an ambulance and trying to determine how he ended up is such a place. They took a serious situation and turned into a funny and feel good tune. “I’m in an ambulance………How did I get here?…… How did I get Here?” Alice Spencer and Sally Allen add some beautiful backing vocals to really add nice accents to this song.
Hands On Your Hips (Track 9) is a little bit old timey rock and roll, but certainly moderned up to sound as current as can be. This is a song about seeing his girl dancing with another guy and things got a little heated. The song is about a serious topic but they know how to keep it light hearted and fun. And the music is simply fantastic.
Alright, I can’t do it anymore. Listen to every track, that is my recommendation. This is good time party music with a healthy dose of humor throughout. This is required listening if you want to boost your mood. I dare say it would be impossible to be in a bad mood when listening to I Got Your Medicine. This is YOUR medicine for a good time.
Listen to Track 1 – I Got Your Medicine