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After nine albums, Austin’s Shurman are now gearing  up to drop a monumentally fine piece of music with East Side Of Love, their tenth, and arguably, most personal record.  Driven by Aaron Beavers’ soul-filled and soulful songwriting, this is about as good as it gets – pure American rock & roll with a lot of heart and some very Band-like arrangements.

Getting right into it, the album’s title track sounds like something off Music From Big Pink; full of just-right organ fills, tasteful country-fied guitar runs and acoustic undertones, plus some very singing-from the heart; “Never Gonna Quit” has a rockin’ feel with meaty guitar riffs, great and tight harmonies and a full, pure sound.  Most importantly, it’s a song about hope and the message comes across, loud and clear.  “If I Could I Would” has a down-home, deep Southern flavor with great sounding reverbed guitars and a sinister chord structure; “Saving It Up” is a yearning, perfect country-rock piece – mournful yet sweet, “See You Smile” is a get-down country/boogie groover and “I Don’t Know Why” reminds me of a stark, acoustic Alex Chilton-styled piece, which builds up in a dramatic and absolutely spot-on fashion.

There are so many great tracks on this album, I can’t help but think Shurman will finally get the recognition that’s so long-overdue and richly deserved.  Most bands would kill for at least one or two songs of this kind of quality.  Shurman have delivered eleven stellar tracks; the production is top notch and the feel (key word:  feel) of this album is there.  So now listen for yourselves and take this one to your hearts.  It’s personal – and that’s a very good thing, indeed.

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About the Author

Rob Ross

Rob Ross has been, for good, bad or indifferent, involved in the music industry for over 30 years - first as guitarist/singer/songwriter with The Punch Line, then as freelance journalist, producer and manager to working for independent and major record labels. He resides in Staten Island, New York with his wife and cats; he works out a lot, reads voraciously, loves Big Star and his orange Gretsch. Doesn't that make him neat?

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