ALBUM REVIEW - THE SHIRES - 10 YEAR PLAN
This Friday (11th March) will see British country duo, The Shires made up of singer-songwriters, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes release their brand new album, 10 Year Plan.
10 Year Plan is made up of 13 tracks.
Cut Me Loose starts with an upbeat guitar instrumental which I absolutely love as the first verse sees Crissie on lead vocals with her crisp tone. The verse sees lyrics that have an upbeat feel that I also have to say has this wonderful vulnerability to them at the same point which for me is rather special as it shows so much about the artist and their style. The chorus is an upbeat one that showcases Ben and Crissie's vocal beautifully and their harmonies are just incredibly timed with that mix of emotion giving the fans exactly what they love from this pair. The journey within the lyrics is one that is heartfelt that I caught myself connecting with. The second verse continues perfectly from the first verse adding another level of fantastic vocal balance that makes me rather emotional as the song continues to showcase another side of who The Shires are. The final verse sees the softer vocal tone returning alongside a crisp tone from Crissie in the final chorus - love the vocal mix from Crissie in particular.
Sparks Fly starts with Crissie and Ben showcasing their harmonies with a soft instrumental opening supporting in true the shires style. The first verse sees Ben opening Sparks Fly with Crissie's vocals coming in at times adding the perfect balance. The story within the lyrics are beautiful and allow us listeners in to their wonderful song-writing journey making it even more magical. The chorus features Crissie and Ben working together to create the perfect balance of harmonies and solo parts which I have to say is perfect for the song. The lyrics are beautifully thought about. The second verse of Sparks Fly continues with some of the most stunning lyrics of the song as the honesty becomes even more apparent which is so special and raw. Is there anything Crissie and Ben can't do? The final verse sees the pairs softer vocal at the forefront allowing for the lyrics to have there moment to shine bringing the song to have a rather special moment as the final chorus comes in ending the song wonderfully.
Side By Side starts with this soft and slow instrumental which has this rather sentimental feel thanks to Crissie's softer vocal tone within the first verse. The first verse sees Crissie's tone take the song on a journey of wanting that one special person in your life and no one else, but needing them by your side. The homely and honest feel that the song takes off is just incredibly beautiful and emotive. The chorus features some of the most heartfelt lyrics that I have heard in a very long time. You can hear so much emotion within the lyrics and that Crissie holds so much love for the song. The second verse of Side By Side continues with Ben on lead vocals which takes the song on another journey from a male point of view that adds another dynamic. Crissie and Ben's harmonies are stunning, especially as the song heads into the final verse that sees their harmonies showcased beautiful. Crissie's soft vocal delivery ahead of the final chorus is beautiful.
Plot Twist has a soft guitar instrumental opening the song which is perfect for tone of the songs lyrics. The first verse opens with Crissie's vocal which is off a soft sweet tone allowing for this honesty to shine through right from the start and stays throughout. The guitar instrumental compliment Crissie's vocal beautiful whilst allowing the lyrics the show this wonderful vulnerability to come to life. The chorus features many of the most incredible beautiful lyrics that sees Ben coming in on adds this incredible vocal blend which moved me thanks to the attention to detail. The second verse of Plot Twist continues with Ben taking the lead giving the song another twist as the male version of the lyrics coming in and shining through which was perfectly timed. The more I hear the chorus the more I appreciate lyrics and the moment their harmonies shine through. The final verse sees the plot twist being bought to life thanks to their beautifully soft lyrics with such honesty. Every things about the final chorus is sensational bringing the song to a perfect end.
10 Year Plan has a guitar instrumental that opens up the song wonderfully supporting the song throughout. The first verse sees Ben's vocal opening with such honesty and hope of plans that you want to achieve within the next 10 years, you can get so much belief and perseverance shining through which for me and my current situation is really inspiring - there is still time if you work hard for it. The chorus sees Crissie and Ben working together and showing that anything is possible if you believe in yourself, and have the right support network around you anything is possible. The second verse of 10 Year Plan sees Ben continuing on lead which you can hear this country feel about the home and the homely feeling that sees Ben's crisp vocal at the forefront. The more I hear the chorus the more I appreciate the lyrics. The final verse sees a wonderful story about happiness and meeting that one special person in our lives and being with them all or nothing - you are lucky if you have this! The chorus ends 10 year plan in a beautiful way.
I See Stars starts with this wonderful soft instrumental opening thanks to the first verse instantly starting off the track. The first verse sees Ben's soft vocal tone opening I See Stars with this wonderful storytelling right from the start that I caught myself really enjoying right from the off. The chorus features a wonderful pop-country feel with many thanks to the beautiful meaning of the lyrics that will I hope get the listeners thinking. Crissie and Ben's harmonies are stunning throughout growing how much they grow with every single song they release. The second verse of I See Stars saw Crissie taking the lead vocals on this part allowing for us listeners to hear another side of the songs dynamic that I really appreciated and adored because there is something so special and unique about this duo.
The catchiness of the lyrics is something that I love and the more I heard the chorus the more I was singing along. The bridge demonstrated Ben and Crissie's fantastic vocal ranges and tones that never fail to leave me with goosebumps. The final chorus was in a slower giving us listeners the perfect opportunity to hear the lyrics in a different tone and appreciate them. But one thing, I really enjoyed was how they took the song but to their upbeat style for the final time bringing the song to a wonderful end. All I can say about I See Stars is WOW!
A Bar Without You starts with soulful electric guitar instrumental that has a very 'Jolene' style to it. The first verse sees Ben and Crissie taking it in turns on certain parts of the song allowing for this heartfelt tone to come across with different points of view in the same situation love the different perspective. The chorus features some of the most beautifully honest lyrics with this wonderful story to them which I adore and caught myself listening to very single lyric off very closely. The second and third verses blend perfectly with the songs direction amongst all the attention to detail that many of their fans will appreciate and relate with. Crissie and Ben's vocal tones are everything with their vulnerability layered into it. The way that the chorus links directly into every single part of the song which goes to show what wonderful artists The Shires are.
Baby We're Rich starts with this wonderful instrumental that is very soulful yet softer sounding for certain moments. The first verse sees Crissie on lead vocals which are off a soft tone allowing for the lyrics and their story within the songs lyrics to shine through opening. I love the storytelling and the purity within the songs lyrics that I caught myself getting this real sense of pride with, whilst also hearing that its ok to be have what you have and that you are rich in many other ways. The chorus sees Crissie and Ben's vocals compliment each other really through the songs lyrics delivery. The picture that the lyrics allow the listeners to paint is rather special. The second verse of Baby We're Rich continues as Ben takes on lead vocals with this special sense within the lyrics that I caught myself getting a little emotional over as it headed into the chorus. Crissie's crisp vocal is everything. The final verse sees Ben and Crissie doing the verse together showing off their beautiful harmonies with the songs key lyrics being repeated. The moment the final chorus kicked in I was like wow what a full circle moment for the song.
Sky Dive sees Ben's soft vocals opening with verse with a softer instrumental allowing for the songs feelings to come across. The lyrics are ones that are beautifully thought about giving off this wonderful story that I think many people will love and appreciate. The moment the chorus kicks in with Ben and Crissie's vocals blending together my god it's brilliant giving the song this incredible layer that is greatly appreciated. You get this feeling of togetherness which is just incredible thanks to their soft harmonies. The second verse of Sky Dive continues with Crissie on lead following Ben opening the song up the female take on the lyrics is rather special as all points of view of the situation are given off. The songwriting is stunning throughout and Ben and Crissie definitely know who they are and what their listeners want. The more I hear there harmonies the more I really appreciate all their efforts within the song. The bridge is beautiful heading into the final chorus ending the song beautifully thanks to the softer vocals from both Ben and Crissie ahead of the tempo changing to a higher key.
Wild Hearts has a guitar instrumental ahead of Crissie opening the song. The first verse sees Crissie's crisp vocals opening the song with her soulful lyrics that I have to admit got me feeling a little emotional with the way they are delivered you can hear so much vulnerability. The moment Ben comes in and his and Crissie's voices blend perfectly together is like a wow moment which I adore. The chorus features some of the songs most beautiful lyrics the attention to detail within the whole aspect of the song and it's independence is wonderful. I have to say the upbeat tempo of the song as it heads into the second verse is wonderfully timed. The second verse of Wild Hearts continues with Ben taking on hold vocals adding this whole vulnerability to another place from a men's point of view which personally for me shows so a lot about who they are as musicians and for the song writing. The final verse is a much softer one showcasing the songs key lyrics ahead of the final chorus ending the song perfectly.
Forever Tonight has an electric guitar instrumental as the first verse sees Crissie and Ben taking it in turn with the lead vocals with Crissie's crisp tone full of many questions that listeners will find themselves listening to very closely as Ben's also comes in with his crisp tone with the answering side making it the perfect blend. The purity and honesty from their vocals is beautiful especially as the song heads into the chorus full of love and honesty with the one person you love and realising that, that every evening is very special. Many wow moments are featured throughout. The second verse of Forever Tonight continues with the journey of those special moments that make you realise that that one person is so special and that you wanna spend the right of your life with. The blend from Crissie and Ben is perfection. The final verse sees the softer and even more gorgeous side of the vocals and lyric meaning to shine through going into the final chorus perfectly which gave me goosebumps.
Peggy, I'm Sorry (Demo) has a quirky and upbeat instrumental that is something very different to all of the other songs in this album but something that I adore from Crissie and Ben as it reminds of the old The Shires style music. However, the soft guitar instrumental supports the first verse wonderfully with Ben's tone giving Peggy, I'm Sorry this beautiful feel of being so apologetic for everything that she's going through with such purity that you can tell has been written from the heart making it even more special. The chorus is very simple but a really affective one that I caught myself listening to rather closely. There is something so special and pure about very aspect of the song and it's meaning. I honestly have nothing but praise for this song.
When It Hurts has this wonderfully soft guitar instrumental supporting the song throughout adding a wonderful layer which I just adore ahead of Crissie's vocals opening the song. Crissie's soft crisp vocal tone is everything as it allows for the songs meaningful lyrics to shine through. The story within the lyrics are everything as it is filled with so much love that is pure as it reminds people of exactly why they are together. The chorus features many heartfelt and honest lyrics that are stunning as it showcases this vulnerability that only The Shires know how to show within their music. You get to hear so much relationship love within the song which caught me getting rather emotional over many times. The second verse of When It Hurts continues with Ben's crisp vocal taking the lead adding another dynamic thanks to the male point of view that he gives off that is even more special. Crissie and Ben's harmonies are beautiful. The bridge had me an emotional mess which I am writing as I am sobbing listening to the lyrics with even more attention - When It Hurts is a song that will definitely get listeners thinking.
When It Hurts is the standout song for me on this album.
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