Holocene Music is beyond stoked to present the debut full-length from Portland, Oregon jangly pop wunderkinds The Shaky Hands. Sliding bouncy go-go beats under shambling guitars and reedy, swooning vocals, Shaky Hands make the kind of catchy, soulful indie rock that’s tailor-made for brokedown car stereos and river-rat boomboxes. Their debut album’s 13 tracks glow with a sloppily romantic warmth that’s equal parts summer sunshine and candlelit mellow, pre-party buzz and scruffy day-after fuzziness. The result is a fully formed and confident debut; a big-hearted, starry-eyed bear hug of a record, full of youthful energy and tumbling vigor, just waiting to back new adventures and comfort old friends.
The Shaky Hands formed in Portland in the fall of 2003. They began as a three piece with Nick Delffs (also of Castanets) playing guitar and singing, Colin Anderson playing drums and Paul Culp on bass. That year was spent performing in basements and living rooms. Following Culp’s departure in 2004, Mayhaw Hoons and his hair joined the band, soon followed by second guitarist Jeff Lehman. Around this time Nick and Colin traveled to Bonny Doon, California and recorded a self-titled EP with Nick’s brother Nathan, which was subsequently self-released on CD-R. In 2006 Nick, Colin, Mayhaw and Jeff recorded this (amazing) debut full-length at Sidecar Studios in Portland, before bringing on Nathan as an official member that spring. Now five strong with Nathan on pedal steel and percussion, The Shaky Hands are a visceral, life-affirming live experience that will totally make you hug the person standing next to you.
TRACKLIST:
01. Whales Sing
02. The Sleepless (mp3)
03. Why & How Come
04. Maker Make
05. We Will Rise
06. Another World Part 1
07. Another World Part 2
08. I’m Alive
09. Sunburns
10. Host Your Day
11. Whirling Wind
12. Hold It Up
13. Summer’s Life
PRESS QUOTES:
Josh Modell, SPIN:
“This Portland band’s debut should satisfy those flummoxed and/or disappointed by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s sophomore slumper. Both groups capture early R.E.M.’s breezy jangle and give it a twisted sideways glance, but the Shaky Hands reduce the bark and play up the loose-limbed folk vibe… Refreshingly uncluttered tunes like “The Sleepless” and “We Will Rise” bring a relaxed, back-porch quality to typically uptight indie-rock”
Magnet:
“Occupies that lush space between M. Ward’s sleepiness and Devendra Banhart’s freakiness”
Gorilla vs. Bear:
“But the reason we’re talking about the Shaky Hands here is that we can’t get their insanely infectious tunes out of our head lately. I imagine if you’re a fan of warm and fuzzy hook-laden rock of the Tapes ‘n Tapes and/or CYHSY variety you’d really enjoy this, and if not, lighten up already.”
