Hello Reader,
Welcome back. Hope you’re well.
Today we’re going to delve into Strand of Oaks. Born in Indiana, Timothy “Tim” Showalter moved to Philly after high school. Showalter created the moniker Strand of Oaks as an outlet to share his music with others. He’s a musician, singer-songwriter, and producer that Josh has gotten to know over the years through various publications and having several conversations with him. Tim is an artist that I shared my own history with, in our first album review. Live at Pustervik is a beautiful live recording that allowed me to dip my toes into the review sphere and ended up being among my favorite releases of last year and luckily my voice and format have improved since then.
Looking at the Strand of Oaks discography, we’ll start with the first album, Leave Ruin (2009), followed by a second album of beautiful, haunting songs from a one man, one guitar loner folk music titled Pope Killdragon (2010). Then he “went electric,” formed a band, and performed for larger and larger audiences. He’s played hundreds and hundreds of shows since then. The band put out some rockers, some contemplative ballads, some tasty jams, and the following excellent studio albums and EPs: Dark Shores (2012), Darker Shores EP (2013), Heal (2014), Hard Love (2017), the compilation Harder Love (2018), Eraserland (2019), and In Heaven (2021).
After In Heaven, the Austin-based Showalter began exploring other artistic avenues like painting and acting. He found a place as a guest character “Hoosier” in both seasons 4 and 5 of the FX show Mayans M.C. And now comes Showalter’s eighth studio album, Miracle Focus out via Western Vinyl Records on Friday June 7th for your listening pleasure.
Giving credit where it’s due. Miracle Focus album credits:
- Tim Showalter is the main songwriter, composer, vocalist and instrument player.
- Lacey Guthrie provided backing vocals.
- Kevin Ratterman produced the album.
And now for some hype for your ears!
Setting the tone musically with colorful visualizations in the video for “More You”:
(All credits and rights to Strand of Oaks)
The varied and colorful visualizations within the video for “Future Temple”:
(All credits and rights to Strand of Oaks)
The masked father and son (?) antics for the video for “Party at Monster Lake”:
(All credits and rights to Strand of Oaks)
Celebrating the good in “Fantasy Wranglers”:
(All credits and rights to Strand of Oaks)
Within Miracle Focus, Showalter’s aim was to create a shared experience of collective energy. Getting individuals to come together with passion and purpose. To celebrate joy, bliss, and the beauty we can find within human existence. Did Miracle Focus achieve that? Listener, I’ll let you be the judge but here are some of my thoughts, this album serves as a reminder of the power of music. A reminder that is now entrenched in history by its release date, and whose collective thoughts, feelings and experiences that you and I have cannot be removed. What a blessing that we have music in general. Showalter shows off his creativity and talent within Miracle Focus. He’s a composer, musician, sharing messages and hopes through synth heavy production beats, distorted and not modified at all vocals. I’m glad he’s at a point he can create his own music that he is so passionate about without trying to appease others. What a lovely state. Guthrie provides complimentary vocals throughout. The sonic quality sounds good to me. The album flow from song to song is well planned out and executed well, forming a narrative and shared goal presented in chronological order. Kudos to all involved.
“More You” is a great tone setter for the rest of the album. The synth creates ambient sound at the start of the song putting us in the rightful mind perspective and headspace. The notes shift to darker tones for about 30 seconds before a release occurs, softening the mood, fitting well with the lyrics later in the song. The lyrics are introspective and aware, seeking an outlet for pent up emotions and serving as a message to others.
“Communication” opens with a brisk guitar intro followed by distorted vocal effect and synth beat to start the melody. Showalter’s vocals quickly become his normal tone. The production beat is a real groove, easy to dance with and move your body to. Guthrie provides her first backing vocals about one fourth into the song. Both vocalists stand out in this song. The beat switches up a handful of times. At times the beat gives off vibes that would float in outer space well. The lyrics are optimistic and serve as a reminder to not only communicate but be mindful and find the positive.
Ānanda was one of Buddha’s most treasured disciples and is often translated to bliss or divine joy in Sanskrit. It’s become a movement. “According to Paramhansa Yogananda, ananda can only be found through regular, deep meditation. This joy lives within and cannot be found through anything outside oneself. When one has divine joy, the joy remains despite any difficult outward circumstances.” which is according to the site ananda.org
The Strand of Oaks song, “Ananda” starts with audio of waves crashing, followed by a slow burning synth beat build up with Showalter’s tuned vocals. The synth beat adds drums and other effects to become an uptempo, and more upbeat sound. Perhaps mediative worthy for portions during the song but it’s difficult to truly zone out. This song has plenty of vocal modifications that are opposed to Showalter’s own more calming vocals. The lyrics are reassuring.
“Future Temple” continues spiritual practices, this time advocating creating a personal temple, one that is yours. Built on love and with purpose through the tone that the lyrics and melody have created. Guthrie’s backing vocals are an excellent addition, and they really mesh with Showalter’s so well. The melody is again synth based, again percussive based with modified vocals at times.
“Party at Monster Lake” kicks off with a countdown, followed by some guitar strumming. The melody is fully fleshed with some great synth beats. The vocals take me back to previous Strand of Oaks albums. The refrains are catchy as hell, as many of those were to me, as well. I love the audio effect to end the song.
“Switched On” has a higher pitched beat than any before it on this album. The lyrics and melody celebrate musician and composer Wendy Carlos and serve as a beautiful homage. Her debut album was titled, Switched-On Bach (1968) which featured the Moog synthesizer and brought it to the mainstream. Showalter’s lyrics in “Switched On” also focus on being present within the present.
The next song, “Navigator” serves as a point to recenter. To recenter yourself, mediate and discovery yourself. The synth is a welcoming beat as are the shared vocals of Guthrie and Showalter. The beginning seconds and ending third of the song is orchestral in sound, serving as a lovely transition for both.
“Ascend You” opens with a quick paced synth beat. Followed soon after by Showalter’s modified vocals which then are followed by a different percussive beat that is impossible not to clap along to. The title fits perfectly with visceral lyrics about ascension. More aptly said, the shift one experiences within a significant spiritual transformation.
“Fantasy Wranglers” has a myriad of positivity. The messaging within lyrics reflects that appreciation for exceptional moments and memories. The melody features some nice guitar, drum beat and synth. Showalter and Guthrie’s modified vocals fit perfectly with the melody as do the parts of the song when his vocals aren’t as modified.
“Miracle Focus” begins with a synth production beat that reminds me of something I’ve heard in the past (80s music perhaps). It’s a lighter-hearted beat that moves and grooves well. Showalter’s vocals vary once again between modified and not. There’s a nice synth and percussive solo nearly halfway through the song before Showalter joins back in vocally. The lyrics are appreciative, serving as a reminder to the listener for gratitude and to be present. That and the space-like fade out provide a fitting end on the journey of this album.
Miracle Focus gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It definitely grew on me after repeated listens. And for that the album slides into the 4 Scum Drops rating territory. I fear some may not give it the time it deserves because they’re skeptical of synth or mediation or some misguided reason. Please don’t be that human. It’s worth listening to on any format of your choosing and adding to your collection as well. The tone and concept of the music scream vinyl to me. Listen to it with a nice, crafted atmosphere, a decent size living space as you relax… turn on, tune in and drop out.
Miracle Focus Track listing (song length)
- More You (4:45)
- Communication (5:14)
- Ananda (4:51)
- Future Temple (4:04)
- Party at Monster Lake (4:22)
- Switched On (4:01)
- Navigator (6:47)
- Ascend You (5:32)
- Fantasy Wranglers (3:33)
- Miracle Focus (3:23)
Total runtime: 46:27
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. If you do so twice with this album, the process will take you just over an hour and a half. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
For more info on Strand of Oaks, check out the band’s site, right here! There’s everything you’re looking for including but not limited to socials, merch and tour info.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
