You can make a fair argument for the idea that musicians shouldn’t worry too much about creating new sounds and styles via convoluted musical adventure and sonic fusions when there is still so much potential to be found in existing genres. However, that doesn’t mean those established sounds don’t need to adapt to the times. And that is what we see happening with this collaboration between these two fine gentlemen.
Perhaps best described as neo-rockabilly, this coming together of Robby Vee (son of the iconic Bobby) and Beej Chaney is the sound of rock and roll’s past gently flexing its creative muscles and not only moving with the times but heading into the future.
And so confident are they of the power of their music that they bravely and assuredly start with the seductive “Straight On,” an understated serenade and slow burning groover rather than the usual sonic sucker punch that most would use to grab the listeners’ attention.
“Vacant” sees the two blending their sound with island beats and soulful horns, “Give Me Your Heart” pushes the early rock style into the formative garage rock sounds, full of attitude and accessibility, and “Small Town” is one of those slow-burning ballads which sounds like you have been listening to all your life…isn’t that the definition of a classic? I guess time will tell.
If you think that music genres get stuck in their own past, that styles have a limited shelf life, that music thrives through revolution rather than evolution, then you need Shake It All Up…! in your life, if not for proof that even the most established genres can be as relevant today as they were when they first burst onto the scene, then certainly for the quality and expertise of the songwriting.
