Shim
Feel Like a King Independent

by Liz Saunders
Staff Writer

Comments: SHIM is an original, Seattle-based, four-piece, arena-style rock band. Their sophomore effort Feel Like a King is reminiscent of '70's and '80's era riff-driven rock. Heavy and quite straightforward, Feel Like a King will instantly appeal to those who miss the musical and lyrical honesty of Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Motley Crue, and Aerosmith.

Skillfully delivered, tremolo-heavy guitar solos bring a bluesy element to the table, and often sound as if the strings and neck are being manually bent for a thick, old-school feel that truly enhances, rather than defines, the solos, themselves.

Bass and drums are on point, all the way through, and do an excellent job of driving the rhythm in a manner consistent with SHIM's blues-based, hard rock approach.

Crunchy power chords and Robert Plant-like vocals bring an undeniable element of power to the music, and draws the listener in with anthem-style choruses, often at least pseudo-political (more often quite political) in nature. The band's clearly anti-corporate stance, combined with their raw and unadulterated energy (think head-banging, foot-stomping) certainly has the potential to move an audience to its feet, as well as incite some fairly revolutionary thinking.

For some, Feel Like a King will feel like a memory of another time, when music had a clear and simple message—and the balls to back that message with hard rock. For others, the album will feel like a whole new experience, and will unapologetically deliver its message in tune with scorching solos, pounding rhythms, and vocals that drive home SHIM's point with clear and melodic honesty.

SHIM can be found online at www.myspace.com/shim or www.shimrock.com

Musicians:
Micah Simler
Mike Notter
Jeremy Crowe
Ragan Crowe

Track Listing:
Be
Little Girl
Made for the World
The Highway
Animal
You Walked in Like You Owned the Place (But You Don't)
Something to Hide
We Got Guns
It all Comes Back
Tell me Your Name

Hardrock Haven rating: 5/10