Is Shepherd - 'Pine Box' Single
'Pine Box' is the debut single from Newcastle-based alt-rock band Is Shepherd and is taken from their EP 'Songs For Suns' that was released this summer to wide-ranging critical acclaim, and as debuts go it's pretty damn good with the group drawing on a kaleidoscope of influences to produce a uniquely alchemic track.
'Pine Box' sees a confident, fresh group that, having gigged extensively throughout their local environ, is impressively tight and displays a knack for matching the brooding vocals and storytelling style of Nick Cave with the energetic indie-rock dynamism of The Libertines. There is also a stain of warbling melancholia a la Florence Welch in the vocals lending 'Pine Box' added emotional depth bordering on the melodramatic.
The single is carefully constructed with vocalist Ben Trenerry leading from the front with a voice that could fill a stadium and backing in the shape of kinetic blues/rock/indie guitar and double bass the potentially chaotic combination of which is kept in check by a relentless rolling drum beat.
In addition to the lo-fi garage rock on display here there is an interesting structural element that sees Trenerry whispering his words against stark instrumentation in the middle-eight after which the single's blues funk kicks back in slowly building to a satisfying crescendo that allows Trenerry to let rip before it all goes quiet leaving the listener reaching for the play button.