We Have Your Life

In the grand tradition of guitar bands like The Feelies, The Shifties' mostly play tuneful pop with sweet melodies and harmonies, but often the songs hint that something slightly dark and possibly sinister lies beneath the surface. 'Girl Car' is a prime example, as the lyrics mostly consist of 'We got your money/ We got your girlfriend, in my car', alluding to robbery, menace and kidnap. Cleverly, the scenario is left open, leading the causes and consequences to the imagination. If the lyrics were slightly altered to "We got your money, we got your girlfriend AND your car" they could threaten all aspects of the American dream! Lyrics aside, the song has a fine tune and an understated fuzz guitar break (if that's not a contradiction in terms!)
A similarly disturbing effect is achieved on other neat tunes such as 'We have your life' and by the use of churchy organ on 'Clicks'. Most of the eight songs have a leisurely, dreamlike and atmospheric quality. The straightforward rock/pop songs like 'Drink' are more ordinary, suggesting that the band should pursue the winning combination of '60s inspired pop with a dark underbelly.
www.theshifties.blogspot.com
www.cdbaby.com
Phil Suggitt - Shindig!Magazine - London June 2006
Press:
Losing Today" magazine July/04
irresistible power pop ditty with more hooks than an Angler’s Club; Pretty smart stuff we say
Grunnen Rocks Radio
" Netherlands " May 17 2004 The Shifties: Chicago pop-oriented band with nice hooks, worth to check 'm out,
Drowned In Sound " London UK March 2004
Shifties owe as much to The Shins and The Beach Boys as they do Simon & Garfunkel.
IndieSpinZone " Webzine February 2004
Sometimes it's late 70's powerpop, sometimes it's more Mod, and the other times it's retro 70's classic rock or a touch of the sixties. I like this band. owes as much to Power Pop as it does the Kinks
Erasing Clouds " Webzine February 2004
The Shifties come off like an especially good bar band...and I don't mean that as an insult. Catchy, fun pop-rock songs about heartbreak, loneliness, and the local greasy spoon.
Shindig! Magazine London, UK January 2004
“songs are memorable,
IndiePages.com " Seattle, WA 10/10-03
”The sound is catchy Beatles-y pop; kinda retro in a way. Have a listen”
Delusions of Adequacy- New York, NY 9/15/03
“Well this is the best thing I've heard for a while” “this band is just too good to ignore”
Small Think " Netherlands 8/28/03,/BR> “It is not naturally appalling”
Music Boom " Italy 2/03
“the not despicable acoustic POP”
Openingbands.com '" Champaign, IL 1/15/03
“The Shifties are sincere and friendly, and have the ability to make the listener fall in love with them”