Bill,
Dude- thanks so music for taking the time and energy to review Motor Club. We seriously appreciate any and all feedback regarding Sheltershed music, especially from industry leaders – I’m not just saying that – it’s true man. You gave us many kudos and encouragement with much of your analysis of the project. Also – I hope you feel privileged that you are on my “special person list” and received one of the Motor club promo CD’s – hahaha
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The comment /concern regarding cohesiveness as it relates to Sheltershed music has historically been a critic’s focal point over the past 10 years. I know you were specifically identifying that as an issue with this latest release, however it really has been an area of discussion/ argument on several occasions when it comes to Sheltershed music overall. We have always resisted falling into a specific musical genre. In fact, it has been fairly natural for us not to succumb to this phenomenon of the modern day artist/producer. Collectively, Sheltershed members’ musical interests & love for many genres have driving the song writing and production of Sheltershed music for the past decade. Consequently, when we release a project like Motor Club, it reflects this characteristic. As you well know, Motor Club consists of several different genres such as electro, break beat, psy trance, industrial, digital hard core, down tempo, hard dance, etc. (just to mention a few). That may be one reason it does not have that cohesiveness that you identify/desire. Not to mention, our musical palate is extensively rich and diverse and consists of much more than a one trick pony in a bedroom studio with a groove box and an Oxygen 8 (no offense to any producer that uses a groove box and Oxygen 8, but you know what I’m saying about how easy it is to get a “cohesive sounding album” when producing with only a few pieces of gear and a lap top).
The fact that Sheltershed has not identified it self with one specific genre of music has really been to our advantage in the bigger picture. For one, we have an expanded listening audience/base that reaches way past the Christian EDM scene and Tastyfresh. In addition, I’m pretty cretin this another reason we have been asked to perform at so many diverse venues/ events / projects such as Autobahn, Anvil Festival (industrial/ goth venue), Asylum, work with Volition Inc on tracks for the PS2 game Summoner, Dark Rave, Ichthus, Cornerstone Dance Barn and most recently the Fat Calf Unified Underground venue.
Motor Club was not writing as one cohesive consistent sound that the listener can get lost in while on a road trip (such as a “journey” – that many producers seem to strive for these days which has become tiresome), however it is a peek into what is going on in the heads/minds and studio of the Sheltershed members & what we think is “happening” – diverse as it is. Oh and by the way – the “clanking” in Access Violation that interrupts your pleasurable head bobbing is exactly what our hard core listening Flaming Fish brathas love about that track as it creates some form of musical dissonance/anxiety that they crave.
Again, thanks so much for your honest review/critique of Motor Club. I hope there is more to come and look forward to it. By the way – We will take you up on that vision you mentioned with Sheltershed performing live at the Fusion. Is Tom R. still down there with you?
