The Shackletons sing about love and robot kittens

News of The Shackeltons is spreading across the music community as the band’s energetic,… News of The Shackeltons is spreading across the music community as the band’s energetic, post-punk tunes hit eardrums everywhere.

This Chambersburg, Pa., band has the capacity to transform intelligent and articulate individuals into Shackelton-heads who can only express themselves in loud, bursting vocalizations. Let’s just say, The Shackeltons are “Woo!”

The best element in The Shackeltons’ mix has to be the guitar. When those electric devils duel it out in “Bloke” with that creeping bass line, nothing is better – that is, except for the bit in “Tremble.”

For all the praises sung of Eric Fisak and Daniel Schuchman (guitarists) and Justin McDaniel (bassist), there are an equal number of praises for Sean Hallock’s drumming, which adds a creative rhythm to the entire album.

Finally, The Shackeltons would not be complete without Mark Redding’s vocals, pumped up with power-shouting fits meant to inspire dance breaks. With these guys, energy is key.

One listen, one glance at a live performance, and that fact is made perfectly clear.

When it comes to the band’s subject matter, it’s obvious that someone’s in love.

One or all of these band members have caught the love bug and have dedicated the entire album to their sweeties in one way or another.

From the reluctant “Madeline” who apparently was promised: “I'[ll] never use your name in a song” -too late for that – to the other ladies of The Shackeltons, who are far away and close in hearts, this is the album of love.

One of the best expressions of love is in the track “Emergency” with lines like: “The robots purr like my favorite kittens / and I am forced to love them / even though it’s with you I am smitten.”

Smitten and kitten coupled with the robot imagery? Those are some mad romance skills.

The band’s intentions are pure, and with amusing lyrics to back up the musical love notes, listeners will want to soak up as much robot-kitten imagery as possible.

The Shackeltons get better with each listen.

While their obvious obsession with love could have bordered on annoying, emo-kid style rock or super-sweet pop mush, The Shackeltons has neither. The strange tales of love come off neither mopey nor sickly sweet.

Every element in the band’s sound comes together perfectly, from Mark’s fleeting vocals and intense energy to Eric and Daniel’s notable, complementary guitar to Justin’s moving bass to Sean’s upbeat drums.

The Shackeltons by The Shackeltons is a first effort that’s worth its weight in, well, some very precious metal.

With lyrics that can incorporate robots and yellow Cadillacs with ease, it’s no wonder people are noticing these Chambersburg boys.