This is 18 Sycamore, by Brooklyn's definitive DIY duo, Shellshag. Released on their personal long-running Starcleaner Records label, which I believe is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, 18 Sycamore is a double LP. Think of it as DIY's Speakerboxxx/the Love Below, in which each member of a storied duo takes a disc and makes it their own. Made to accompany their film of the same name, this is inherently a very touching album, telling the story of their shared musical journey through these songs and stitched together footage of them and their friends through the years. Even for a someone like myself who wasn't around for those early days, it's incredibly difficult not to tear up hearing these songs, and seeing the film. Like everything involving them I've ever encountered, the love for the music and for each other is so pervasive that you can't help but to be moved. One of the best indications of an artist's character, in my opinion, is the people they associate with and their relationship to the successive waves of musicians that start after them. By this measure, Shellshag are some of the finest folks you'll meet. I actually first heard Shellshag on their split with This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, and would continue to run into them in conversation with figures like Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females. Furthermore, even having moved out of the city, I got to see them several times in the past year, as they toured with AJJ and Kimya Dawson, as well as joining Sean Bonnette for his solo shows this past March. Their live show is something not to be missed. Shell on guitar, Shag on drums, with their fabled Pyramid of Sound custom built by Shellhead himself. I'll be in Brooklyn next Friday, partially fried for the prior night's Bridge City Sinners show, but ready for a glorious hometown Shellshag performance. It should be known that there's no greater live experience than seeing an artist on their home turf, and that sentiment is amplified with these two. Tracklist01. Music Box 02. I Write the Song03. Little Miss Special 04. Here Come the Fans 05. Waiting by the Line 06. Albert Payson Terhune 07. Coo Coo08. Biggest Wish09. She Smiles10. Seasons 11. Bad 12. Seaweed13. Burned 14. Oops15. Dog vs. Butterfly 16. Dumb Room 17. Combat 18. I’ll See You Later 19. Rearrange 20. You Are So Beautiful21. Van 22. Yes, I’m Still Thinking of You23. Round the Block 24. I Know 25. Pritty Ditty 26. Yes, I’m Still ...
