Shannon and the Clams have released their new album, The Moon is in the Wrong Place, and it’s their most accomplished release yet.
In August 2022, frontwoman Shannon Shaw’s fiancé, Joe Haener, was killed in a car accident. This was obviously a devastating loss for Shannon, as well as the rest of the band who were all close to Joe. Already a beloved figure in the garage-punk scene, Shannon chronicled her grief online as she was experiencing it, seeking comfort in community.
With such an unprecedented backstory, it comes as no surprise that this album stands out from anything they’ve released before.
The album opens with The Vow, a song Shannon wrote with the intention of surprising Joe with it on their wedding day. It’s a bittersweet Nancy Sinatra-style ballad, it’s tragic backstory putting it alongside classic “teenage tragedy” songs like The Shangri-Las Leader of the Pack. This is followed by The Hourglass, which sees the band really leaning into their psychedelic side.
One of my favourite tracks on the album is ‘Big Wheel’ – it’s a bouncy, upbeat track that sounds like what you might get if you crossed The Dead Weather with The Gossip.
The album closes with ‘Life is Unfair’, a bittersweet acceptance of all that has happened, with Shannon singing “life is unfair, but beautiful.”
This album is a testament to both the bands musical talent, and their own personal resilience. Their trademark garage rock and girl group influences are still prominent, but it’s clear they really pushed themselves this time around. Musically, they’ve expanded into more layered and intricate arrangements, resulting in their most accomplished release yet. Shannon is lucky to have such a warm fanbase and support network, and we’re also lucky to be able to share such an emotional journey with her.
Find Shannon and the Clams:
www.shannonandtheclams.com
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