play yer tunes

pyt Presents:

Artist: Shawn Mullins
Album: Soul's Core
Record Label: Sony 69637

Street Date: 07/07/1998
Ripped Date: 07/07/2002
Genre: Rock
Year: 1998
Ripper: TEAM pyt
Source: Compact Disc
Encoder: EAC/Lame

Release Infomation

Spontaneous, vibrant, and lyrically stimulating, Shawn
Mullins scores big with his passionate messages and his
flair for natural storytelling that touches the core of the
listener's soul. Mullins brings together ten years of hard
work and a respected musician's ethic for the release of the
aptly entitled Soul's Core, his first record on a major
label. The Columbia release is ethereal, rich in narrative,
and, though overly produced at times, filled with expressive
instrumental work. Mullins lets his scratchy and deeply
resonating voice blend in smoothly with his six-string
guitar and fellow bandmates. The opening track, "Anchored in
You," takes off with an uplifting message of newfound love
and fresh hope, raising the listener to clear skies. Singing
"I'm stoned in San Francisco with you on my mind" may have
been the net to catch this song away from radio airplay,
though the melody feels free in a euphoric sense. The radio
airplay hit "Lullaby" mentions a girl who is feeling
depressed, crying out for a life away from her upbringing, a
life full of Hollywood days and movie star-filled nights.
Other tunes carry stories filled with strength lying in the
lyrics' character development, such as "Gulf of Mexico."
Singing about liquor stores, deserted boardwalks, holy
waterfalls, and lost highways, Mullins makes no excuses not
to touch on very human circumstances. "I heard a voice from
my soul's core, saying freedom's just a metaphor" is
certainly a lyric deemed powerful and meaningful in scope.
"September in Seattle" is a driving tune branded with a
gospel finish, polished with joyous melodic vocal
statements. The story of a man of 37 who's been riding
trains for 15 years — lost in his journey to find the ocean
and smell the salt of the sea — encompasses the tune "Twin
Rocks, Oregon." On a perilous journey to be found and to
find one's self, the man — though offered a ride to the San
Francisco Bay — decides to stay and catch the next train and
"dream his life away." Other bright spots on this record
deserve an attentive listen, including the dreamy, haunting
"On a Rainy Night," the soulful "Soul Child," and the
heartwarming "You Mean Everything to Me." "Shimmer," a song
of optimism and encouragement, will always bring delight and
joy to the suffering listener, encouraging everyone human to
realize we were born to shimmer and shine, born to radiate.
A touching song in a more personal way is the letter
dedicated to friend Patrick Cosgrove. Fans of Mullins will
be sure to capture the moment and seize this time, while
wrapping their arms and ears around the record for a listen.
— Shawn M. Haney

Track Listing:

No.  Time   Track Title

01   3:21   Anchored in You
02   5:31   Lullaby
03   3:45   The Gulf of Mexico
04   3:24   Spetember in Seattle
05   4:33   Twin Rocks, Oregon
06   3:22   And on a Rainy Night
07   3:21   Tannin Bed Song
08   4:34   Soul Child
09   3:21   Ballad of Billy Jo McKay
10   2:19   Patrick's Song
11   6:15   Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
12   3:45   You Mean Everything To Me
13   4:09   Shimmer
14   4:47   Shimmer (Bonus Track)

CD Time: 0hr56min .. Total Size: 77MB