Album Review- Ty Tabor
Ty Tabor — Shades
It’s been well over a decade since King’s X has released any new material but guitarist/vocalist Ty Tabor has been quite busy during the long layoff. Tabor released “Shades” last week to follow up his 2018 release “Alien Beans”. Tabor also has multiple side projects including the excellent Jelly Jam.
Tabor is one of very few guitar players that you know it’s him playing when you hear him. His sound is so unique. Combined with his Lennon-like vocals, Tabor’s solo records have been a must have since he started releasing them in the 90s. Tabor handles all the vocals and instruments on this release which is even more impressive.
The overall tone of “Shades” is a little melancholy. It’s far from mellow, but it’s sounds very reflective and a little sad to me. But Tabor’s playing is fantastic and he’s such a good songwriter.
The album opens with “Come Home”. I love the grit in Tabor’s voice on this opening rocker.
“Shallow” has that King’s X guitar sound that’s so recognizable. I’d love to hear Tabor’s thoughts on the lyrical content of the record. This one sounds like a commentary on the state of the country but maybe that’s just me reading into it. Either way, it’s a great track.
“Your Fantasy” has all of those elements I love about Tabor. That guitar sound, the layered vocals, the complex time signature and a great solo.
“What You’re Thinking” is a mid tempo rocker with a catchy chorus that sounds like it could have been off the King’s X record “Ear Candy”. It’s a simple track that sticks in your head.
“Sister Genocide” is a little darker as expected with that title. This record is a guitar record from top to bottom. Tabor’s tone is his trademark but there are some interesting parts throughout the track.
“Best Day In A While” is Tabor at his finest. I don’t know the back story but this one really brings the emotion. It’s a track about fathers and sons and it’s beautiful.
“Insane” snaps us back with another straight ahead rocker with some excellent guitar work.
“One Drop of Water” checks in at nearly six minutes and has that epic feel to it. It’s the one track that doesn’t really sound like anything else on the record but I’m glad it’s here.
“Doesn’t Linger” is a slower track that adds to the melancholy sound of the record. Some more great guitar work in the solo. This one has a little late Beatles sound to it.
“Leaves Falling Down” is the last track of the non CD/Digital version of the record. It’s a mid tempo track that has all of the Tabor vibes to it and a solo that reminds us what a superb player he is.
The first bonus track is a mostly acoustic track titled “Ashes”. It feels like where the album should end as it’s both reflective and hopeful. There’a also an acoustic version of the song that ends the record.
The final bonus track is “Political Nonsense”. Lyrically there’s not a lot to this track other than repeating the title but musically it makes me wish Tabor did a little more with this track.
I’ve been listening to Ty Tabor for decades and he has somehow been able to release dozens of albums with his signature sound without ever sounding tired or repeating himself. That in itself is impressive. “Shades” is reflective and both sad and hopeful at times. Tabor has always been able to express emotion through his music and “Shades” is another shining example.
All King’s X and Ty Tabor fans should be thrilled with this record as I am. And for those of us anxiously awaiting the new King’s X record, “Shades” should satisfy and sustain us as we wait.
95 out of 100
Track Listing
01 Come Home *
02 Shallow *
03 Your Fantasy *
04 What You’re Thinking *
05 Sister Genocide
06 Best Day in a While *
07 Insane
08 One Drop of Water *
09 Doesn’t Linger
10 Leaves Falling Down *
11 Ashes — (Bonus Track) [CD & Digital Download only] *
12 Political Nonsense — (Bonus Track) [CD & Digital Download only]
13 Ashes (Acoustic) — (Bonus Track) [CD & Digital Download only]
*Best Songs