It is exciting to see an artist break out before your eyes. Strand of Oaks is one of those–the name given for Philadelphia native Tim Showalter. I first came across him on WXPN’s excellent World Cafe’. As with many great rockers Showalter began his musical career as a singer-songwriter in the neo-folk mold. His 2010 album, Pope Killdragon, which was given an outstandingly positive review by Pitchfork, displayed an artist with a penchant to incorporate folk tradition with an inventive imagination. He followed this up with 2012’s Dark Shores, which garnered similar raves from the music review magazine Paste. Now in the newly released album HEAL, he adds electric to his repertoire to come out with an album that is reminiscent of early Springsteen and recent Steve Earle–not bad company. Here he is performing the song “Shut In” using the music video format to comedic effect.
Life, Project Management, and Everything 