Al Shalliker’s latest release, “Time Out of Mind”, from his upcoming album "The Diamond Hill", pulls us into a bluesy, alt-folk landscape that’s both hauntingly familiar and freshly captivating. The Plymouth-based singer-songwriter, formerly of the band Watershed, channels years of storytelling and raw musicality into this stripped-back track, where guitars, harmonica, and bass meet in an almost danceable swirl of rootsy sound. So today, let us step into Shalliker's world, where each note reverberates with both hard-won wisdom and an unmistakable foot-tapping energy!
The song kicks off with gritty lines that make you feel Shalliker’s world-weariness: “I’ve got moonbeams coming out of my head, fifteen years wishing I’d been somewhere else instead...” Here, Shalliker’s surreal, self-reflective lyrics mix humor with remorse, hinting at the reckless decisions and intoxicating missteps of a life lived to the fullest, with all its messy consequences. The recurring line in each verse, “Why have I wasted my time, my love, yeah… time out of mind...” feels like a mantra of missed chances, punctuated by a vulnerability that’s both honest and haunting. Each verse adds layers to this retrospective, bringing a gritty and almost cinematic quality to the experience. In another stanza, he sings, “I got six strings beating up my brain, fifteen years, six strings are driving me insane...” painting the instruments themselves as accomplices in his turbulent journey. This isn’t a lament but rather an acceptance, a wry acknowledgment of the choices that led to this place.
In “Time Out of Mind”, Shalliker’s voice is a gritty, dynamic instrument that does the heavy lifting, breaking out with a theatrical edge that feels spontaneous and alive. It's the type of vocal performance that feels urgent yet unforced, drawing you in with a cadence that sounds like it could be the soundtrack to a dive bar’s late-night confessions. Longtime collaborators Tony Davies on bass and Alex McGinnes on harmonica elevate the track with an unhurried yet vibrant rhythm that’s equal parts charming and contemplative. The track’s simplicity—rooted in acoustic guitar, bass, and the wailing, charismatic harmonica played by Alex McGinnes—leaves Shalliker’s lyrics to stand front and center. His voice, both worn and dynamic, carries the weight of the words with a storyteller’s nuance, balancing the gravitas of reflection with the lightness of satire. The sparse instrumentation underpins the lyrical themes, letting the music pulse with a live, almost tangible energy. Tony Davies on bass gives the song a bluesy, foot-tapping rhythm, while the harmonica weaves in and out like a nostalgic memory, enhancing the tune’s authenticity.
So, if you’re looking for a track that resonates with the bittersweet dance of life’s ups and downs, "Time Out of Mind" is ready to be your next soundtrack. Al Shalliker captures both the grit and grace of growing through experience in this reflective anthem, making it a must-listen for fans of soulful storytelling and roots-infused soundscapes. Don’t miss out - give "Time Out of Mind" a spin and let Shalliker’s journey be the tune that makes you pause, reflect, and even tap your foot along the way. Stream it now and join the journey!
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Listen to "Time Out of Mind" on #Spotify below -
You can check out Al Shalliker’s website and follow his musical journey here:
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