Shimmer

Mark McKay | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2004)
• Original Release Date: September 14, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: self-release
• ASIN: B000309YS6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #682,995 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Nate Schweber, Village Voice

Literate and understated, subtle and charged, roots-rocker McKay makes music fitting alongside Steve Earle and Springsteen; alt-country force.

Product Description

Shimmer is an album that sounds big and true; electric guitars churn and moan over a driving rhythm section while individual songs are colored by organ, piano, cello, trumpet, and other instruments from Ambel’s Cowboy Technical Services recording studio in Brooklyn.

Shimmer is the sound of McKay’s adventurous creativity both as a recording artist and performing songwriter

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A little honesty here, April 26, 2005

By 

Harlan (DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shimmer (Audio CD)

I hate to say it but it is pretty clear that the "Our Customers' Advice" for this CD are fakes. So are most of the reviews. On one hand you might have sympathy for a no-name artist trying to get some attention. On the other hand spamming Amazon with fake recommendations is not way to practice your art. Honestly the reviews I can live with, but I'm tired of seeing "Shimmer" listed on half the CDs on Amazon. Let's be honest, nobody has heard of it.

You will have to decide for yourself whether this matters to you. For me it turns me off when they take it this far, and this guy has over-spammed his welcome with me.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME..., May 10, 2005

By 

J. Bolten (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shimmer (Audio CD)

I was intrigued after seeing the numerous recommendations throughout Amazon... especially the ones trashing John Prine and Bruce Springsteen....

I downloaded the samples and listened intently...wanting to like this guy and really trying to find the justification for such rave reviews...but after two days of listening to the 5 or so samples, all I can say is that his music is as transparent and full of fluff as the clearly 'fake' reviews which led me here.

I'm very dissapointed.

But I'll give him more respect than his crew gave other real and more deserving artists-- 2 stars, one for being able to sing and play guitar at the same time, and the other for almost nailing a poor attempt at shameless self promotion.

And for the record, I advise the rest of you to stick to those artists who's sincerity is utmost, with their music, lyrics, and promotion.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was hoping for, but close to what I feared, April 15, 2005

By 

T. Green (Vancouver) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shimmer (Audio CD)

I was amused by the funny coincidence that this CD was "suddenly" recommended all over Amazon I decided to give the songs a listen. After all, feverish self-promotion could be a sign of overflowing artistic genius.

Unfortunately this was not the case.

The sample songs at least are not very good at all. This CD is an amateur effort with painfully abused melodies and lyrics that made me cringe. Perhaps some of the other songs are better, but based on the samples I could never imagine purchasing this CD. If I were you I would be certain to listen to the music samples before I bid farewell to my money.