We Is Shore Dedicated - missing marks amazing dans (2023)

It is impossible to describe the music of We Is Shore Dedicated in one word. This project by singer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Tsitrin is too versatile for that.

Sam Tsitrin was previously in the experimental pop band The Ebb & Flow and has now been active with We Is Shore Dedicated for 9 albums. A project that changes musicians and music styles per album.

In their experimental pop you will encounter elements of Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, free jazz, medieval music, but also of idiosyncratic bands such as Tin Huey and Oingo Boingo.

The album opens with sparkling piano sounds as an intro to Missing Marks, which then continues as an unpolished Neil Young-like rocker in which the constant question is “is this a good song?” I don't know!” Then follows the dreamy Steely Dan-like Buffoonalo, entirely in their idiosyncratic way.

Fork In Eye bounces in a jaunty manner, complete with a free jazz saxophone and Todd Rundgren/Tin Huey influences. After the slightly funky grooving Cows In The Minefield, Mi Parrazon opens as an almost medieval dance melody, idiosyncratically grating and bizarre.

The drivingly swinging Short Rain Sheets contains Americana influences, but in the We Is Shore Dedicated way! The warmly grooving Mono-A-Mano contains a Jean-Luc Ponty-like violin part, a free jazz saxophone and John Scofield-like guitar work.

Default Ducking swings and sways, after which the adventurously driving Horse Market Share contains the necessary Zappa/Beefheart influences. No Hay Puente moves towards the sound of Steely Dan in an intimate, swaying manner. The intimate Ounce Of Joj sounds surprisingly soulful, with stately horns.

Don't Know Anymore is the idiosyncratic grooving Beefheart-like closing track to this album.

A very adventurous album in which you fall from one surprise to the next.