Strand of Oaks: Heal

He's gone to hell and back with no receipts to show for his heavily tolled journey. US songwriter Timothy Showalter is a onetime Smashing Pumpkins fan who reverted to raw Americana for three albums and then returned to guitars. He's proof that some artists may have to wait years until the mood strikes hard enough to create something profound out of misery, something priceless out of ostensibly nothing. And so, following bouts of substance abuse, relationship issues and a near-fatal car accident, Showalter delivers his tour de force. The clinchers: affecting autobiographical lyrics documenting his moments of downfall; tunes that careen between Big Star and Hüsker Dü; and – why, thank you so much, Timothy! – molten-liquid guitar work from Dinosaur Jr's J Mascis. It isn't all guitar lines, either – tracks such as Shut In, Woke up to the Light and Plymouth soften the blows. Inspirational.
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Download: Goshnen '97, Woke Up to the Light