The Shoes (1975) Kristine - LOST 70s GEMS

The Shoes's Un Dans Versailles was a Self-produced recording form 1975 and while nto considered a major label debut, its great starting point for the band, while there is a lot more filler here than say on the band's later LP Black Vinyl, there are a couple crackin tunes! One is Do I Get So Shy, a relaxing folk rock paean to a lover with fantastic lyrics set to a Seasons in the Sun acoustic stuttered strum. The vocals are nicely subdued with a teenage malaise fitting the minor key chords while the tight as a wingnut drumming keeps the song rocking and a rolling along. The chunky hard rock figure that enters at the song's end is also great; this group definitely had the diverse chops and knack for different textures and melodies as the better known late 70s power pop group, The Cars.


The real gem amongst this lo-fi set of tunes is Kristine it's really amazing. A song full of gentle, soothing harmonies before the fast paced chorus full of 60's vocal influences like The Beach Boys and excellent drumming if this song sounds outdated by 1975, maybe if it was ten years earlier it would fare better. The funky hi-hat beats of the song combined with the ever so whiny vocals are such an incredible package.