ShutterStone

"Shutterstone’s sound is extremely accessible, creating a style that will appeal to rocks fans of many makes and models."

By Thomas D. Szewc

Sometimes an EP comes along and you think to yourself “this should be a full-length album, dag-nab-it!” Well, if there was ever a time when I was thinking that, it was with the self-titled release by Hammonton, New Jersey’s own, Shutterstone. The second I was greeted with “So Far Down’s” opening hook, I was immediately enthralled. The guitar playing, merited to Stephen McKnight, is raw and heavy in a way that reminded me of a slightly more upbeat Stone Temple Pilots. Some of his riffs and licks are incredibly creative and showy, to the point it’s clear the band knew to pull out all the stops for the first track. There’s definitely a “wow” factor here that really makes you anticipate what’s to follow.

So if the first song pulls out all the stops, then does this mean the rest will invariably suck? To that I would answer: why are you being so negative? I’d follow that up by explaining how the remaining tracks showcase a wide variety of style and mood, creating one solid debut release. Shutterstone’s sound is extremely accessible, creating a style that will appeal to rocks fans of many makes and models. “Trippin Again” features a modern pop-rock flow, whereas “Denial” and “Makes Me Feel” will feel right at home with the more gritty alternative rock crowd. Closing with the power ballad “Closer,” the album takes a more somber turn but with some refreshing backing piano pieces. The piano itself isn’t overly creative but does wonders to back up the mood of the song.

Shutterstone has some inspiring lyrical skills as well. Derek Selke’s melodic voice carries well through the various tones running across the six different tracks. Whether it’s showing animosity, ambition, or just being sentimental, Selke nails them with silky rock gusto that I can imagine stretching far at any live performance. As a matter of fact, the voice behind the band is also the driving force behind the music and lyrics as well. Selke’s writing keeps in tune with each song’s mood, backing up the style and flair he puts forth in his voice. Some of my favorite lines came from track number 2, "Let Down," where Selke laments:

Still I seem to need you
But I just can’t get through
All this pain I’ve one through
I must be blind
You build me up to tear me down
You chew me up to spit me out
You burn my eyes, watch me drown
You lift me up to let me down

The utter pain and frustration of being in a one-sided relationship comes out nicely through these lines. I quite like the chorus because, out of context, I think everyone can relate to those sentiments in one way or another. Who hasn’t gotten so frustrated from expecting so much and getting so little? Between the lyrics and the writing of the actual music itself, you definitely get the feeling that Selke put a great deal of time and effort into this release.

Shutterstone definitely has the potential to grow. I feel like they could do a lot with a full length album, and I personally look forward to the day they cut one. In just six songs, they’ve shown they can tackle different styles of rock and not sound displaced in any way. Simply put, this rock has range.
- Indie-music.com