Yoke Shire - 'A Foreshadowing'

Year of Release: 1998
Label: Zygo Records
Catalog Number: 70896-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

This two track pre-release sampler by Boston based band Yoke Shire begins with heavy bass, slow burning guitars, and agonized vocals over a steady drum beat. About that last bit: Craig Herlihy's a baritone (or darn near), and his delivery is deliberate. You will think that the 70s are back (again). Not the progressive 70s mind you, because bands like Iron Butterfly or early Deep Purple come to mind, rather than Yes, ELP, Genesis, et al..

"Maiden Voyage" is a little sludgy, having to do with both Craig Herlihy's vocals and the leisurely way the song develops - like molasses in January, actually. It's the almost tortured way Herlihy sings that puts me off a bit, though his actual singing isn't bad.

The second track continues pretty much the same way, with an almost funky bass much of the time. Though there is a very pleasant, bright, and well paced keyboard interlude just about midway through - the blue sky in another wise dark and stormy day.

Actually, this track is the better of the two, as there is a fairly decent guitar solo toward the end and some interesting drum sounds - uncharacteristic for this kind of music really. It more characteristic of "Fourth World" style pieces.

What this evokes, appropriately enough I suppose, is music played and heard in a drug induced haze. Maybe not so out of place given prog's whole history.

Yoke Shire are Craig Herlihy, who, in addition to vocals, plays guitars, bass, keys, harmonica, and bass pedals; Brad Dillon on drums, percussion, and glockenspiel; and Brian Herlihy on guitars.

The full album, Masque of Shadows is due to be released this month, and may have been by the time you read this. I'm interested enough by the second track to want to hear the full album.

Tracklisting:
Maiden Voyage (4:39) / Shape Of A Dancer (4:47)

Musicians:
Craig Herlihy - lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, harmonica, and bass pedals
Brad Dillon - drums, backing vocals, percussion, and glockenspiel
Brian Herlihy - guitars

Discography:
Yoke - Yoke (1995)
"A Foreshadowing" (1998)
Masque Of Shadows (1999)
A Seer In The Midst (2002)
"Solar Solstice" (2004)
The Witching Hour (2007)
Awakening Celtic Spirits (2011)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: April 10th 1999
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.yokeshire.com
Hits: 2624
Language: english