The name says it all folks. If a band names themselves after a classic
Flamin` Groovies track, they better deliver the goods. Shake Some Action! Do
and bring a perfect hybrid of jangled-up pop delight that brings to mind not
only the Groovies, but mid/late 80`s jangle faves like The La`s, Gigolo
Aunts, The Mighty Lemon Drops, Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians and Matthew
Sweet. Power pop is the realm where Shake Some Action! exist: finely
crafted songs you can dance to with a bittersweet edge that make them
perfect for any guy or gal who likes to rock but has, you know, feelings.
"Yah" for feelings! "Shake Some Action! Is the new project of one
James Hall. He comes across as part Poster Children, part Stones Roses, and
part aforementioned Matthew Sweet. Most of Shake Some Action! songs have an
undeniable catchiness without being overtly cheesy or poppy (yeah, we`re not
talking John Mayer or Jack Johnson territory here). Opening track "Sound of
Your Mind" sounds like a lost track from Teenage Fanclub`s classic
Bandwagonesque, with rich guitars overlain over more guitars all leading
into the vocal harmonies of the chorus. It`s exactly the type of song you
want to lead an album such as this: loaded with pop sensibility but also a
bit of bittersweet regret and topped with lots and lots of guitars.
"Complicated" continues the trend with more of a Matthew Sweet feel and tone
as Hall sings "How did it get so complicated/yesterday was so easy."
Something about the combination of regret and vocal harmonies that is hard
to explain, but feels so right. Things slow down a bit on "Orange Peel" and
"Wasting Time," songs that feel like something from the long-lost Gigolo
Aunts (everybody remembers them, right?). "Wasting Time" is especially
strong, with a touch of 60`s organ, horns and tapped rhythms that make it
possibly the most fully realized song on Shake Some Action!, at least
melodically, almost veering into Roy Orbison territory.
However, the real strength for Shake Some Action! is the rock, and the
pinnacles are probably "Damaged," "What You Want Me To Do," and "Someone
Else`s Friend". They`re full of hooks and dripping with vocal and
instrumental harmonies that would make The La`s blush. "Someone Else`s
Friend" might be the most satisfying song on the album, writhing back and
forth from a pure power pop gem to a more restrained power ballad. "Damaged"
is a more Springsteen-like in its take, asking "I`ve been wondering/how`d
you end up so damaged?" over pure late 70`s/early 80`s guitar, almost
bordering of being U2-like in their tonality. However, "What You Want Me To
Do" is destined to be the crowd number live, right down to the barely
audible countdown at the beginning ? this takes the Shake Some Action! sound
to the streets, crashing the guitars and driving the drums into a nearly
perfect power pop gem, right down to the bass solo criss-crossed with
guitars. I couldn`t think of a better way to close out the disc.
Shake Some Action!`s self-titled album is a strong debut from Hall and the
gang. While it might not be the most original indie rock disc to come out,
it doesn`t hold anything back for its 37 minute run time and what it does,
it does well. There is nothing wrong with rock for rock`s sake and that is
what Shake Some Action! offers to the listening public: something to dance
to, even if you think you`re too cool to dance to it."-ThreeImaginaryGirls.
How can more be said? It can`t. To wit, to the crux: Extremely Highly
Recommended!!!
 Couldn`t Help Yourself - mp3
You`ve Got It Made - mp3
Couldn`t Help Yourself - mp3
I Can See Where This Is Going - mp3
Someone Else`s Friend - mp3
Without You - mp3 | 
