Rising from the ashes of cult hardcore noiseniks Mahumodo, *shels were formed in 2003 by vocalist Mehdi Safa and drummer Tom Harriman. After a couple of early EPs, the band sent out the first real signal of their obvious talent with the release of their critical acclaimed debut, 'Sea of the Dying Dhow' in 2007. Now four years on and after meticulous care, detail and attention *shels unleash its stunning follow up, 'Plains of the Purple Buffalo'.
Dividing a vast amount of the last four years between developing and nurturing the label Shelsmusic, a home for like minded musicians and artists, including Ef and The Ascent of Everest, and overseeing the production of 'Plains of the Purple Buffalo', the final product is true testament to Safas unwavering believe in the immense vision he had for the project. Recorded at Safas home in California, the album clocks in at just under eighty minutes of flawlessly executed raw intensity, interwoven through a rich delicate tapestry of beautiful layered emotion.
From the exquisite fragility of the albums first release, 'Butterflies on Luci’s Way' to the sonic headlock that is the 'Journey to the Plains' and all the way through the breathtaking odyssey of Plains of the Purple Buffalo parts one and two, *shels manage to easily keep you enchanted on this mesmerising musical experience. At times this feels more like the soundtrack to some sweeping cinematic event than it does a straight up rock genre record. For with 'Plains of the Purple Buffalo', *shels have succeeded in soaring above the ideals of genre by making a record that will resonate with music lovers across the board and I for one salute them for achieving such a feat.
Easily one of the picks of 2011 so far, it will come as no surprise when 'Plains of the Purple Buffalo' features on a wide range of album of the year polls come the end of December. So if you will kindly excuse me, I am off yet again on that astonishing journey to the 'Plains of the Purple Buffalo'.
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Dividing a vast amount of the last four years between developing and nurturing the label Shelsmusic, a home for like minded musicians and artists, including Ef and The Ascent of Everest, and overseeing the production of 'Plains of the Purple Buffalo', the final product is true testament to Safas unwavering believe in the immense vision he had for the project. Recorded at Safas home in California, the album clocks in at just under eighty minutes of flawlessly executed raw intensity, interwoven through a rich delicate tapestry of beautiful layered emotion.
