Whiskey Shivers

Batholith

Whiskey Shivers resembles a real-life version of O Brother Where Art Thou? – reckless, on the run, and playing for its collective supper. The local hillbillies’ raucous rendering of old-time bluegrass packs a wicked sense of humor, a trait that landed the controversial video for standout single “Gimme All Your Lovin” on the front page of social news site Reddit. The quintet, with upright bass and washboard no less, picks and grins with plenty of dirt under its nails, tackling the reality series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (“XHM Blues”), “Wookie Boogers,” and the type of girl preferred for a “Drunk Dial.” Clearly, Whiskey Shivers isn’t interested in that same ol’ song. When playing it relatively straight, as on opener “Old Home Place” and the fiery instrumental “Salt Creek,” the band does so with commanding, almost damning authority. With Batholith, the Shivers prove ready for the new folk revival.

***.5

This article appears in December 2 • 2011.

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