Hailing from the rural landscapes of Kentucky, Elvie Shane brings a unique blend of influences to the country music scene, drawing inspiration from artists like Dwight Yoakam and Steve Earle, as well as genres ranging from classic rock to R&B and hip hop. With his heartwarming sincerity and commitment to authenticity, Shane has become a standout figure in the country music world and on new album ‘Damascus’ he positions himself as a voice for the disenfranchised and rural, forgotten, working communities in a way that is both intelligent and relatable. We interviewed Elvie about ‘Damascus’ and you can read his personal stories behind this set of heavyweight songs right here.
His breakout single, ‘My Boy,’ achieved Platinum certification and topped the charts, delivering a heartfelt tribute to step-parents and their unwavering love. Critically acclaimed for his 2021 album ‘Backslider,’ Shane captivated audiences with his gritty yet heartfelt blend of heartland rock and modern country. His nomination for Best New Country Artist at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards further solidified his status as a rising star in the industry.
With early advance tracks like ‘Forgotten Man,’ Pill’ and ‘What Do I Know’ Shane reaffirmed his commitment to storytelling and authenticity, offering poignant anthems and fiery indictments for a new generation of hardworking individuals chasing the American dream. Fleshed out into a full album it is clear that Shane has something special on his hands with ‘Damascus’: a powerful, relatable and intelligent slice of Rock/Country fusion with his trademark lashings of Gospel on the side.
The album kicks off with ‘Outside Dog,’ a funky southern anthem that sets the tone with its bombastic chorus and infectious guitar riffs. Shane’s gritty vocals and intense lyrical delivery shine on tracks like ‘What Do I Know,’ where he champions authenticity and values, giving a voice to the overlooked and the working class.
Collaborating with Jenna McClelland on ‘Jonesin’,’ Shane delivers a raw, raucous anthem about never being satisfied, reminiscent of a Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd jam session. “My hell is too hot and my heaven is too high,” he states, on this raw, raucous song with McClelland providing superb background vocals in the same way that Joanna Cotten did for Eric Church. ‘Baptized,’ meanwhile, explores themes of lust and love with southern gospel overtones, showcasing Shane’s versatility and emotional depth. ‘Forgotten Man’ channels Springsteen-esque vibes, painting a poignant picture of changing times and the struggles of the blue-collar classes: of little white houses, flags and red necks as he sings about values, hard work and authenticity again whilst raging about the way the world has changed, gentrified and become the playground of corporations. “Can’t unpaint the blue on my collar,” he sings as the music reaches its crescendo in the final third in swirling mix of guitars, drums and patriotic sentiments.
‘Pill’ delves into the dark realities of addiction and isolation, while ‘Appalachian Alchemy’ offers a similar gritty portrayal of small-town life and poverty. The former is another story of lost and isolated people – the forgotten – and the tendency they have to medicate themselves in different ways. It’s very Eric Church sounding and very intense and powerful in its simplicity. ‘Appalachian Alchemy,’ meanwhile, has a real Rolling Stones ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ opening as the song builds to a big, anthemic chorus about poverty, alkaline and Sudafed, paranoia and the type of small town Appalachian lifestyle that TV shows like Dopesick highlighted in such powerful & tragic ways. A huge rock song with Black Stone Cherry and Rolling Stones vibes, it reveals itself to be one of the album’s standout tracks.
Talking about the lost and forgotten, ‘215634’ is a steady, rhythmic song with guitar flourishes and some intense, raw storytelling that is bound to resonate with the people it’s intended to. It’s a very personal song about a friend of Shane’s that went to jail. ‘There but for the grace of God……’ Shane told us in a recent interview as he sings about victims of circumstance and a system that keeps people in their place. Add in a funky, southern rock guitar solo and that feeling that “where I’m from there ain’t nobody innocent” and you’ve got yourself one of the most powerful moments on a very impactful middle section of the album. That run of songs, from ‘Forgotten Man,’ through ‘Pill,’ ‘215634’ to ‘Appalachian Alchemy’ is where the beating heart and the bruised soul of this album resides.
The two most commercial, radio-friendly tracks on ‘Damascus’ come back to back during the album’s final third. ‘First Place,’ featuring Little Big Town, combines soaring harmonies with Shane’s signature storytelling, creating a radio-friendly anthem where, even on the most commercial song on the album, Shane still paints blue collar stories of people struggling with their demons and doing their best. ‘Winning Horse,’ meanwhile, delivers a dramatic ballad with arena-sized melodies that echoes Springsteen’s most anthemic choruses as Shane urges a woman to trust him and “take this love to the finish line.” This is a proper ‘lighters in the air,’ ‘born to run and hold on tight’ song about two people steering their way through life together that is both impassioned and dramatic and it deserves to have a life of its own outside the confines of this album.
‘Fan on High” adds a touch of Jerry Reed-style honky-tonk charm to ‘Damascus,’ acting as a kind of palette cleanser on what is a very intense album whilst ‘Chicken Shit’ channels the spirit of The Black Crowes and Kid Rock, exuding bravado and bombast. “More walk and less talking about it,” Shane sings on a chest-thumping song about being a big dog and the cock of the walk. Closing the album with ‘Does Heaven Have a Creek?’ Shane crafts a gospel-tinged ballad that contemplates life after death, blending Christian themes with powerful emotional resonance. The song is a fascinating mix of Billy Joel jamming with the Rolling Stones at a Chris Tomlin concert that is equal parts uplifting, emotional and very powerful. It builds to a huge crescendo which sees Shane screaming ‘I believe’ in his best gospel voice as the album finishes and you are left to catch your breath and process the journey that you’ve just been on.
Saul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus was the beginning of an incredible journey for him and Elvie Shane clearly feels compelled to identify with that biblical story on this, his second album. ‘Damascus’ is an explosive showcase of Elvie Shane’s talent and storytelling prowess, offering a heartfelt exploration of American life and the human experience. With its blend of gritty rock anthems, soulful ballads, and infectious melodies, the album cements Shane’s place as a rising star in the country music scene and as a songwriter of some renown who is able to drill right down into the human experience of everyday folk and bring out those journeys and stories in a way that makes you want to pump your fist in the air and holler along. A truly uplifting album with a lot to say, ‘Damascus’ deserves to be in the prime spot at the top of your streaming library for months and years to come.
Tracklist: 1. Outside Dog 2. What Do I Know 3. Jonesin’ 4. Baptized 5. Forgotten Man 6. Pill 7. 215634 8. Appalachian Alchemy 9. First Place 10. Winning Horse 11. Fan on High 12. Chicken Shit 13. Does Heaven Have a Creek Record Label: BBR Music Group / Wheelhouse Records Release Date: April 19th Buy ‘Damascus’ right here
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