| Believe | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2004 | |||
| Recorded | 2004, Roswell East Studios, Nashville, Tennessee | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 35:01 | |||
| Label | YepRoc | |||
| Producer | J.D. Wilkes Mark Robertson | |||
| Legendary Shack Shakers chronology | ||||
| ||||
Believe is the fourth studio album by American rock band Legendary Shack Shakers, released in 2004. This album, along with Pandelirium (2006) and Swampblood (2007), form a trilogy of albums referred to as the "Tentshow Trilogy" by the band. [2]
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2023) |
According to AllMusic , Believe sees the Legendary Shack Shakers "adding a few more flavors to their usual gumbo of country, blues, rockabilly, and punk". [3] Pitchfork felt that the album was "Southern Baptist imagery meets klezmer/rockabilly" and described the album's music as "cowpunk/psychobilly that deals in quasi-religious/sacreligious vagaries". [1] PopMatters wrote regarding the album's style, "No doubt some bluegrass or rockabilly purists will find Believe's hyper-menacing flirtations to be sacrilege, but that’s kind of the point. To hell with traditions and placated expectations! This ain’t yer daddy’s rockabilly." [4]
Believe, along with Pandelirium (2006) and Swampblood (2007), form a trilogy of albums referred to as the "Tentshow Trilogy" by the band. [2]
The lyrics on "Believe" are a standout feature, showcasing the band’s knack for storytelling. Each song delves into themes of love, heartache, and the complexities of life, often with a humorous or tongue-in-cheek twist. The storytelling aspect is reminiscent of classic country and blues traditions, where narratives are woven into the fabric of the music.
Songs like the title track "Believe" reflect a sense of yearning and introspection, while others delve into the absurdities of everyday life. The lyrics resonate with listeners, drawing them into the vivid imagery and relatable emotions that the band captures.
| | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2023) |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [5] |
Believe was favourably reviewed by Zeth Lundy of PopMatters, who concluded, "The next time you take the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack from the stereo, pining for some oomph to your Americana, reach for Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers. “Colonel” J.D. Wilkes calls himself a jumpin’ jimdaddy, and before long, you will too." [6] Ben Donnelly of Dusted magazine reviewed the album and commented that "Translating this band's strengths to record will probably always be a challenge. ... Still, they make the most of the challenge." [7]
All songs written by J. D. Wilkes except where noted
Additional personnel include: Jordan Richter, Nick Kane (guitar), Fats Kaplan (banjo, fiddle, accordion), Donnie Herron (fiddle), Jim Hoke (clarinet, saxophone).
Warren Zevon is the second studio album by American musician Warren Zevon. This album was recorded in 1975 and released on May 18, 1976, by Asylum Records. A remastered version of the album with bonus tracks was released in 2008 by Rhino Records.
The Legendary Shack Shakers are an American rock band from Murray, Kentucky that was formed in 1995 by J.D. Wilkes. The original line-up formed the band out of a shared interest in rockabilly, blues and Western swing. Subsequently, the band gained prominence in the alternative country scene with a sound that encompassed rockabilly, blues, country and punk rock and a lyrical focus on Southern Gothic themes. Over time, the band's sound shifted to emphasize country music.
Joshua "J. D." Wilkes is an American visual artist, musician, amateur filmmaker and author. He is best known as the singer for the rock band Legendary Shack Shakers, and is also an accomplished harmonica player, having recorded for such artists as Merle Haggard, Sturgill Simpson, John Carter Cash, Mike Patton, and Hank Williams III in the American Masters film "Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues". His song "Swampblood" can be heard on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack for HBO's True Blood series. Wilkes is a resident of Paducah, Kentucky and is the author of two books, The Vine That Ate The South and Barn Dances and Jamborees Across Kentucky.
Phantom Phorce is a remix album of Super Furry Animals' 2003 record Phantom Power. The remixes had previously appeared on the DVD version of Phantom Power—they were re-released as Phantom Phorce on the band's own Placid Casual label as a way of ensuring the remixers would receive royalties for the tracks. The album features a commentary from the fictional 'Kurt Stern' who appears between songs to discuss the re-recording of Phantom Power under his guidance after being unhappy with the original. First editions of the album came packaged in a case that doubled as a paper model of a video game arcade cabinet, and included a bonus CD; the Slow Life EP. Critical reaction to Phantom Phorce was generally positive.
Travistan is Travis Morrison's solo debut album, released in 2004 by Barsuk Records.
Candy Ass is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter and lead vocalist of American Music Club, Mark Eitzel. It was released on October 3, 2005, by Cooking Vinyl.
Swamp rock is a genre of rock music that originated in the mid-1960s as a fusion of rockabilly and soul music with swamp blues, country music and funk. The genre originated in Louisiana by artists such as Tony Joe White, but was subsequently popularized by California band Creedence Clearwater Revival.
The Weirdness is the fourth studio album by American proto-punk band The Stooges. Released on 5 March 2007, it was the first Stooges album of new material since Raw Power in 1973, and is also the final album to feature guitarist Ron Asheton, who died in early 2009. Founding members Iggy Pop (vocals), Ron Asheton (guitar), and Scott Asheton (drums) are featured, along with new band member Mike Watt, formerly of Minutemen, and returning guest musician Steve Mackay (saxophone), who appeared on The Stooges' 1970 album, Fun House.
Pandelirium is the fifth studio album by American rock band Legendary Shack Shakers. It is the second album in the band's "Tentshow Trilogy", which began with Believe (2004) and concluded with Swampblood (2007).
Cockadoodledon't is the third studio album by American rock band Legendary Shack Shakers. Released on April 22, 2003, the album established the band's presence on the alternative country scene.
Swampblood is the sixth studio album by American rock band Legendary Shack Shakers. It is the third and final entry in the band's "Tentshow Trilogy" of albums, after Believe (2004) and Pandelirium (2006).
Sirens of the Ditch is the debut solo album released by singer-songwriter and former Drive-By Truckers lead guitarist, Jason Isbell. The album was released on July 10, 2007.
JD Wilkes & The Dirt Daubers are an American roots music band. The frontman for the band is JD Wilkes of the Legendary Shack Shakers.
AgriDustrial is the seventh studio album by American rock band Legendary Shack Shakers. Released on April 13, 2010, the album was the only release by the band to feature guitarist Duane Denison as part of the band's line-up.
Here We Rest is the third studio album by American musician Jason Isbell, and the second credited to "Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit". It was released on April 12, 2011. On October 18, 2019, the album was re-released with remixing done by Dave Cobb and remastering done by Pete Lyman.
The Yawpers are a three-piece rock and roll band from Denver, Colorado. Their name is derived from a Walt Whitman poem, entitled "Song of Myself" from Leaves of Grass: "I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world." The Yawpers play in a unique setting of two acoustic guitar players and drummer, yet their music is played with "raucous glee comparable to seeing a metal band".
The Hooten Hallers are an American blues and rock and roll band that formed in Columbia, Missouri, in 2007.
Gothic country is a genre of country music rooted in early jazz, gospel, Americana, gothic rock, and post-punk. Its lyrics focus on dark subject matters. The genre has a regional scene in Denver.
