Shangrala: Golden Streets

Delay goodness that gives nod to The Edge starts "Golden Streets" and permeates through the entire song. Interesting breaks, sincere vocals and smart musicianship give the song that Shangrala balance of accessibility, skillful math rock ability and a preciousness that nears but never embraces emo, rather transcending it and taking the banner from the pioneers of the now saturated genre instead of the imitators. This is a good band and as good as an album This Is How We Communicate is, they are even better live. So . . . .

Sunday - May 17th at the Eclipse

Don't miss them at their first show in over a year at the Stop Brian Cancer II benefit where all proceeds will go to Brian Hicks. Also playing: Mike Katilius and Thumbnail Sketch. You will be able to bid on art donated by celebrated local artists: Mark George, Ian Chase, Eric Gillyard, Donald Dusinberre, Mark Estlund, Shannon Estlund, Pete Henry and Morrison Pierce. Visit the Facebook group for further information or to bid on art.

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Shangrala: Time

It takes some heavy mettle to name your band Shangrala, but the ambitious sound of their album This Is How We Communicate stands up. Ok, maybe not quintessential, idyllic beauty or auditory bliss at every turn, but it's certainly not afraid to try. Shangrala takes natural extensions of math rock sensibility pulling from the intertwining architecture of bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Minus the Bear and saturates them with big, anthemic sounds and hooks in the mold of U2 and The Cure.

"Time" is not all that representative of the heavier sound that effectively incorporates the stop - start and quiet - loud dynamic throughout the rest of the album. Nevertheless, it shows the great flexibility that Shangrala can muster at will. It's an acoustic track that efficaciously displays the songwriting depth and range that this band has: an ability to appeal to everyone from the most discerning, sub-genre critics to the kids that want something to raise their arm about at local live music venues.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen:

A spacious, but cozy porch with a handful of your closest friends. One of those gatherings where countless hours go by and you don't notice.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Natalie Portman, but at the Beautiful Girls stage.

Visit Shangrala at one of their Web homes http://www.theshanggang.com/ or myspace.com/shangrala to find out about merchandise, get show dates and find out more about their upcoming new album.

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