At this point, it would be fair to say that The Shires are the most successful ‘country’ music group to come out of the U.K. They are the first country band to make the top ten on the U.K. charts and are even honorary recipients of doctorates from the University of Bedfordshire. Not too shabby for two contestants who tried their hand at the X Factor, but left with no cigar. Comprised of just Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle, the duo has been around since around 2012 and has just recently released their fourth studio album titled Good Years which is now streaming.
Good Years is an album that slightly deviates from their normality, as reportedly they decided to work with other songwriters this time around to make their album as complete as possible.
Good Years is an album that slightly deviates from their normality, as reportedly they decided to work with other songwriters this time around to make their album as complete as possible. The album has a substantial mix of songs that are designed for larger audiences and big concerts, with also a few songs that hit a bit softer. What hasn’t changed is how Rhodes and Earle’ voices blend so succinctly. Their strength lies in their ability to harmonize with one another and to do so in way that sounds as if they were two people professing their love to each other.
The songs on the record most deserving of discussion are On the Day I Die, About Last Night, People Like Us, and Good Years. One The Day I Die is a well written track with the message of celebrating life after death as opposed to grieving it. Its tempo is very upbeat and with joyful tone. About Last Night will be the easiest song to connect to for couples who’ve ignored what was there in front of them the entire time, which is a story often told and yet still a common occurrence amongst friends who eventually pair up. It’s not quite a pop song, but it is a song that others outside of the genre would enjoy listening to. People Like Us should give fans and new listeners an idea of who The Shires are and how they feel about themselves. It’s a self-love song, and there’s an idea in place that’s a reference to the two of them and the music they put out as a duo, though the song is also for couples who feel confident in their relationship and disregarding what others think about it. At least that’s how it comes off. Then there’s Good Years which is indicated in the title, and it serves a purpose to those who may not live life in the moment as much as they should. The lyrics are easy to sing along to and the song’s aim is clear with urging listeners to live in the ‘now’ and to cherish time without wasting it.
The Shires are a group of who, by admission of their U.K. fans, have made country ‘cool’. On Spotify, they currently have roughly two hundred forty thousand listens a month. So give this record a listen and contribute to their growth.
