The Shivers

Jo and Keith play an intimate set live at Brooklyn's Zebulon late at night.


Watch the video here:
http://vimeo.com/1090710 - Quiet Color

P-fork finally got around to reviewing The Shivers' "Beauty," giving it a bunch of stars (thank you, Jessica Suarez). The song originally appeared on the Shivers' (aka Keith Zarriello) 2004 LP Charades, so I figured now would be a great time to revisit the lost/mostly undiscovered classic. "Beauty" is an amazing song, but it only begins to hint at the darker themes of alienation and asexuality/anti-sexuality that permeate throughout the album. No where are these ideas more starkly evident than on this song, which begins with Keith's answering machine messages (including one from his mother), proceeds to explicitly and bluntly explore some thoughts on sexuality from a female's perspective, then inexplicably turns into a cover of Cat Stevens' "The Wind":

The Shivers SoHo Party mp3

bonus:

The Shivers Beauty mp3

Purchase Charades from Outer Borough Records, it'll be the best 10 bucks you spend all day. The Shivers will also be having a CD release party for the new album Phone Calls, which is coming out on Outer Borough Records. From the band:

original link:
http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/2006/11/charades.html - Gorilla Vs. Bear

The Shivers
“Beauty�
**** 1/2 (out of 5)
[self released, 2004]

Left to guess, I'd say the Shivers were French, not Brooklyn. Lead singer (and only permanent member) Keith Zarriello's voice carries an eerie, mesmerizing eroticism, which makes me think of French men, oddly, or maybe just what you get of them in new wave films. This track is a particular type of love song, where love's object has recessed behind the feeling of love itself, which takes prominence in the singer's obsession. “I live off love/ I feed off love/ I breathe off love,� he sings so crisply that the song's acoustic guitars float and fade away, like ice too thin to stick. But for all the calls for survival, he doesn't sound urgent-- just patient. “And if you ever leave me/ I'll never will be sore� he sings, right before his voice becomes gentle, and additional harmonies cradle it. After all, it's the feeling more than the object, which only become more intense with separation.

original link:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/track_review/39853-beauty - Pitchfork Media

The past few weeks I’ve been listening to some of The Shivers music off their new album, Phone Calls. Keith Zarriello, who seems to be the only consistent member of the Brooklyn band, has a variety of interesting music, and can also be noted for his songwriting. His music ranges from folk/country, to more lo-fi/alternative. However you want to classify his music, it is quite relaxing, and his love song “beauty� on Charades is a masterpiece (as anyone who has heard the song will confirm). Some of his songs over the years have also been pretty obscure to say the least…you’ll have to hear for yourself.

In 2004, The Shivers released Charades, an overlooked album that definitely has something going for it. I never knew that much about the band (maybe you can help me out if you know more), but from what I have read, it sounds like Zarriello has had quite a range of experiences. I read some interview hosted by his old record label, Whiskey and Apples, having something to do with being a mime and working on an organic farm in Montreal, but I try to take everything I read with a grain of salt, so I’m not really confident I know the whole story. From what appears to be another interview done with Kulterblog, Zarriello states, “A big part of our music and experience is social and political activism. We are working to help the underprivileged children of the world and we are active members in the 9/11 Truth Movement (ny911truth.org). We think we are at an imperative time on this earth when people must get involved to prevent the evil powers that be from doing any more damage…. We believe in peace, love and respect for all humans and animals!� A portion of the proceeds for Phone Calls will go to a young Indian girl whom the band sponsors. - Indie Muse

Pop your collar. You’ll need it, its getting cold here in NYC. More than I can stand really. Now listen to this ‘Beauty’ of a song by The Shivers. How ironic is the name in this moment in time. Singer/songwriter Keith Zarriello (aka The Shivers) croons over a bluesy acoustic guitar. Haunting. Perfect. (A change from all the techno that Justin’s been pumping in my ears lately.)

I don’t know much about the guy, is he from Queens or Brooklyn? I could only find a couple of old interviews about him here and here. There needs to be a Myspace page or something. Fine things are going to happen for Mr. Zarriello in the near future. You can’t keep this sort of songwriting talent down. Get his 2004 album ‘Charades’ and new album ‘Phone Calls’ on CD Baby.

The Shivers - Beauty (highly recommended) The Shivers - Half Invisible (watch out, there’s a surprise 2/3rds through the song)

Dates below: Thursday, January 18th - Club Midway, NYC Thursday, Feb. 8th - Arlene’s Grocery (CD Release Party for “Phone Calls�) Thursday, March 8th - Mo Pitkins, NYC Saturday, March 17th at 1pm - Okay Mountain Gallery SXSW Austin, TX

original link:
http://frictionnyc.com/blog/index.php/2007/01/10/the-shivers-aka-keith-zarriello/ - Friction NYC

04/12/07 - On the Brooklyn-based Shivers' quirky new album, Phone Calls, the band changes record labels to protect its artistic creativity and what they call "the movement" that is its own slowly growing success.

The Shivers have a very distinctive sound that's hard to pin down to one specific style, which lands the band in the broad and blurry "indie rock" category. Phone Calls may be classified as a rock album, but it has some definite country and blues overtones as well as 1980s influences.

Don't let it discourage you if you aren't a fan of these styles though, because, believe me, I am not by any means a country fan, and I loved the album.

Keith Zarriello, the band's controversial lead singer and guitarist, as well as the only permanent member of the band, has said its sound is a mix of "film music, hip-hop, soul, rock, jazz [and] blues."

Phone Calls is indeed an eclectic album, drawing inspiration from a myriad of sources.

Zarriello has a refreshingly straight-forward lyrical style that gives the album a beautiful simplicity that most recent albums seem to lack. It also lends itself to some very quotable lyrics.

One of my favorite quotes from the album is from "Love is Good," in which Zarriello innocently sings, "Love will love you even if you won't."

However, just because the lyrics are usually simple doesn't mean the album is free of eccentricities.

The opening track exemplifies this, starting out as a purely instrumental track until the very end, when a phone call starts up in the background. The song ends on a "hello" from the call.

One of the album's standout tracks, "Half Invisible," showcases Zarriello's love for unexpected twists. Toward the end the song, it unexpectedly becomes a cover of "Patience" by Guns N Roses. This kind of spontaneity is what makes Phone Calls an album worthy of being more than just background noise

Although it is a great album, like most of the quirkier albums out there, it is not devoid of missteps. The most glaring of these occurs on "Rock and Roll Love."

The song seemingly ends, only to begin a completely unrelated instrumental section a second later, ending the song on a rather confusing note.

Phone Calls is currently on sale, the Shivers is planning a North American tour this August. Check out the band's MySpace at www.myspace.com/shiversnyc, or Outer Borough Records' Web site at www.outerboroughrecords.com, for more information.

original link:
http://media.www.ramcigar.com/media/storage/paper366/news/2007/04/12/Entertainment/Cd.Review.The.Shivers.Deliver.More.Than.Just.Goosebumps.On.Phone.Calls-2837538.shtml - The Good 5c Cent Cigar

Beaks to the Moon is the 3rd Album by The Shivers, who have previously released Phone Calls and Charades. Their mix of jazz instrumentation and indie lyrics has attracted a party of new fans in the past year. The band is wise and consequently eclectic between albums, and within them. This most recent release has a comfortably curtailed pace, with tempo pickups at tracks 5 & 9 (’Half Invisible’ & ‘Hey Mr. Officer’) but the band stays within their skill set to produce a complete album of intelligent music making which should appeal to classic musicians, hipster nation, and most effectively, those in between.

Track 1 - Beaks To The Moon - I Wish I Was Never Born

The album features a valiant Velvet Underground cover of ‘There is No Reason,’ as well as an updated version of ‘Half Invisible’ which appeared on their album Phone Calls. The newer vision is a little less raw and more tribal (if that makes any sense.) I’m still not sure what version I like better, but I also have a complex about songs with multiple versions. I always say I like the original best and then 2 months in, I decide that the newer track is ridiculously superior (I had similar issues with Metric’s ‘Monster Hospital’ and Thom Yorke’s acoustic ‘Videotape’ vs. the In Rainbows version.)

I admittedly like this band and was anxious to hear the new album, but I wasn’t looking forward to reviewing it. I prefer to enjoy things without reason or consequence. But I wanted to give this band press because they’re extremely talented and under appreciated. Thankfully, I really enjoy the album. I listened to it sober in the morning & sober in the afternoon on my drives to and from work. As mentioned, the pacing is comfortably slow and the songs melt together nicely. But I think my favorite listen came at home after a couple of drinks, with absolutely nowhere to go. That outcome makes sense because it’s a great album to chill with and keep you company. It’s a good friend for an otherwise lonely night. To catch The Shivers live, check out their current tour dates.

original link:
http://quietcolor.com/qc/?p=131 - Quiet Color

Monday, March 24, 2008
Streaming Music: The Shivers

Tomorrow, March 25th, The Shivers release their new album Beaks to the Moon. It's a step forward from their last release, Phone Calls, with expanded instrumentation and another songwriter. And the hip hop inspirations seem to have faded, replaced with a more focused, fuller and matured sound.

Found here is a set recorded for a show called Fair Game from last year with the songs "Cold in the Morning" and "Wish I Was Never Born" from the upcoming album.

The sarcastic waltz of "Wish I Was Never Born" takes a private oath mentioned often in life, and turns the phrase into an anthem against anger and confusion. It also lingers in one's head with Keith Zarriello's strong vocals. The performance of "Beauty" rocks gently capturing the tenderness of the version found on Charades.

The show



original link:
http://theneedledrop.blogspot.com/2008/03/streaming-music-shivers.html - The Needle Drop

I’ve been listening to the Shivers music for several years now. They do a great job balancing the familiar with the unfamiliar. The diversity of their albums and songs take me from something that I feel comfortable with to something that is new, angst, and generally unpleasant. But then, by the time it really starts to bug me, it’s gone. It becomes easier to breath again.

I think that it what draws me to the Shivers so much. The singer/guitarist of the Shivers, Keith Zarriello, has proven that he knows the difference between what is pleasant to the ears and what isn’t. When it comes to folk melodies, The Shivers are among the best; they very rarely mess up harmonic instrumentals. So why intentionally veer from that into uncomfortable, loud clashing?


That’s the beauty of The Shivers. They are musicians who simply don’t care what you want. They know, I would think, that some of their music makes them lose listeners. Those listeners who enjoy their mellow music aren’t going to necessary like their more experimental songs. But the Shivers are okay with that. They are not going to alter their vision to sell more records. By not allowing the listener to influence their music, they are able to stay true to their music, and say and play what they want. Think about how many songs about pain are so pleasantly played instrumentally. Is that always what pain feels like? Keith knows it’s not.

Sure, this could sound like justifications for bad talent. Once you listen to the Shivers music though, and their new album, Beaks to the Moon, you will realize that’s not the case. The Shivers make beautiful, honest music. At times, the truth, or at least Keith’s truth can hurt or be undesirable, but this album is wonderful to listen to. In my opinion it has a perfect balance. - Indie Muse

The Shivers - Beaks to the Moon

The Shivers made a seagull into an instrument. No, wait– that makes it sound like they hollowed one out and used it as flute or something– which I don’t think they did. They did sample a bird though, on the somber “There is No Reason,� which adds that little something to make you re-listen to the song, in case you didn’t catch how good all the other parts were the first time around.

Beaks to the Moon is a good record. The Shivers are doing what they want, which really shows in the songs. It reflects exactly what I’d expect the life of an under-appreciated band would be like. There are highs, like the ska-tinged “Hey Mr. Officer,� and lows like the beautifully depressing waltz of “I Wish I was Never Born.� That song starts off the album and really revs you up for the rest, making you feel like you’ve found a new descendant of the eels or a less-wailing nephew-in-law of Tom Waits. Other tunes in the middle cover a variety of darkened room blues-pop. “Love is Good� starts with loose, but steady, recounting of cliches about love and rails off into more focused lines amid thick guitar twangs.

Then, just as you think you know The Shivers, Jo Schornikow comes up on “Feather.� Schornikow leads the harmonies that paint this ambiguous, yet comforting, aural portrait. It brought me some peace after another week of my mindless job, so thanks enough to the band for that. She also dominates the mega-impressive “Deserter� (catch that one at the myspace).

I will say this much: “Lonely Road� makes me quite happy. Maybe it shouldn’t, but it does comfort a lonely soul like myself. Enjoy it, as one of the band’s more conventional, yet still poignant offerings from the record you should hear. You have ample opportunity to enjoy several songs through myspace or their website.

original link:
http://petephillipsonline.com/blog/?p=357 - Apparently