Shirock – Everything Burns – Review

Release Date: February 3rd, 2009
Record Label: None
Genre: Indie Rock

The shiny sleeve that Shirock‘s new record comes in alludes to the bands need for a stylish effort. And with a name like “Shirock,” the first thing that may come your mind (and certainly did for me) was the word Shemale. I am curious where they got the name from, but I’m more curious about their new album, “Everything Burns.” At first I was just making sure that everyone in the band included someone with an afghan scarf, thin hoodies, and dark blue jeans. Sadly they all did. Then I had to make sure that Shirock‘s brand of alternative rock would be perfect for the backgrounds of TV shows such as MTV’s The Hills, The City, and hell any teenage daydream shows that MTV poops out instead of music videos.

I do have a grudge against bands that appear as if they might be pompous asses kind of like Kayne West. Shirock is similar in that they have the words “scene” etched on their foreheads and they dress like douche bags, but like Kayne, I can’t hate them too much because quite simply; they play good music. Pap’s vocals and keys are ethereally beautiful and filled with light/fluffy rock. Chuck’s vocals fit well too, even though they sound like a young Bono. The rest of the band puts on their A-games for a very well produced and quality commercial sound.

Many like to hate on bands like Meg & Dia or Switchfoot, who always seem to put together well-rounded releases. I am usually with those hating seeing that bands of this nature rarely push the envelope and seek instead to milk the traditional cow until we are all sick of it. “Everything Burns” isn’t quite near the beating a dead horse style of indie rock just yet so it’s safe. And Shirock has really put some cherished music forth with this record. The pianos, the vocals, the slow building echoed progression, it all works. Just forget for a bit that someone that watches The Hills may have heard of them, the fact they pretty much don’t go too outside of the box and you’ll be able to listen to the album just fine. ~Staff

Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:
1. New Solution
2. Time Goes By
3. Still Young
4. I’ll Take Rain
5. Say It Out
6. Drag You Down
7. Man Inside
8. Calm Inside The Storm
9. Silver
10. Everything Burns Intro.
11. Everything Burns
12. I Have Been Redeemed (Reprise)