She is young, beautiful, and an animated singer/songwriter/artist with the ultimate purpose of getting to the heart of the matter. Sheila Swift paints (by no coincidence she does paint) pictures in your mind’s eye on an upbeat rockin’ album titled The Shape of Things.

In eight tracks Sheila comes at you with everything she’s got, and that happens to be an arsenal of seasoned musicians and a voice that is in total control of how the lyrics are delivered, and she does it with passion and so much energy that you find it very hard to resist.

I liked this CD right from the start when I first heard the opening track “Feel Like I Do.” Every track that follows is bubbling over with enthusiasm and an appreciation for life itself. You can hear it and feel it every step of the way when this woman belts out a song. I liked every track without question and really have no criticism to offer. The production is solid; the sound is clear as a bell, the instrument separation and mix are tight and in step-what else is there? I think that covers all the most important aspects that have the makings of a successful recording. Based on what I heard on this CD I have no reason to believe that this CD will not receive the recognition it deserves.

Michael Hurst, her husband and guitar player, provided a lot of inspiration for Sheila in the studio and in their personal life. Although Hurst will be part of the live band that performs these songs, Nathan Trueb provided the polished playing in the studio for the album. He takes the lead musically on the album and creates a path for every other musician to traverse. He is like the lead scout on an expedition and once everyone follows his path everything falls into place musically. As for Sheila and Michael, it is a nice thing to see, two partners in life making music together and allowing each other to be individuals within the group setting. Any way you look at it, everything else is icing on the cake once this dynamic duo goes to work soon.

Just like Sheila approaches life, there ain’t no mountain high enough for her to climb, her music takes the same approach and she reaches the summit of the mountain one-step at a time through all the feelings and emotions that are part of her every day life. When the album is all over, you feel like making the climb all over again with her.

© Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
1. Feel Like I Do (lyrics) (2:52)
2. Hard Like Oak (lyrics) (3:20)
3. Avalanche (lyrics) (3:40)
4. Interrupter (lyrics) (3:03)
5. The Shape of Things (lyrics) (3:38)
6. Sober (lyrics) (3:38)
8. There’s Still Love (lyrics) (3:17)

Credits:

Marsh Shamberger (SOULAR): keys, synth, bgvs featured on “There’Still Love”
Joey Canaday (LeAnn Rimes, Joy Williams): bass
Jeff Marino (Jo Dee Messina, Cowboy Troy): drums
Nathan Trueb (The Carolines): lead guitar
Dennis Borycki (Garth Brooks): piano on “Hard Like Oak”
Chad Copelin (Hero Factor): organ and keys on “Interrupter”
Patrick Tetreault (5 O’Clock People, Careen): acoustic guitar & PRODUCED by Tetreault (SOULAR, Kelly Jones)
Engineered and Mixed by Craig “Lord” Alvin (Chevelle, Graham Colton, Eisley, Hanson). Mixing and extra tracking done at UPSATIRS PRODUCTIONS (Toby Keith) in OKC, OK.

Artist: Sheila Swift
Title: The Shape of Things
Genre: Rock-Pop
Label: Independent
Sheila Swift’s Website
Myspace