An ode to Andy Shauf’s concept album “The Party.” A timeless album on the very genuine human experience of attending a party and unrequited love interests.
Andy Shauf, Canadian singer songwriter, is the artist to listen to when in need of a melancholic storytelling piece. Some compare his sound to a more upbeat Elliot Smith with more orchestral sounds. His music has a warm overtone drawing listeners into simple stories and emotions painted with his unique sound.
The Party by Andy Shauf could be described as a concept album, although it is better described as a story. Shauf takes listeners through the different hours of a party describing each feeling and emotion occurring in the evening. The story is told through a character who is enamored by his best friend’s on-and-off girlfriend “Sherri” and describes his feelings towards her throughout the night.
The song “The Magician,” opens up the story, with an orchestral piece in which the character describes his experience of the party. Next comes “Early to the Party,” which sets the scene of this narrative and the utter awkwardness of arriving far too early to a party, with a piano playing the melody. The lyrics “early to the party underdressed and underprepared” are surely ones we can all relate to at some point in our lives.
“Quite Like You” is the highlight of the album, and one of Shauf’s most popular songs. In this piece the character’s yearning for Sherri is depicted. She repeatedly tells him she has never met anyone “quite like him” and then suddenly goes back to her boyfriend. There is shock and dismay at this occurrence, and such emotions are conveyed by Shauf’s lyricism and sound. There is a bittersweet appreciation for Sherri but an understanding that she is unattainable. This song is followed by “Begin Again,” a song describing the feelings surrounding the narrator’s rejection. “Begin again, that’s quite an act you put on” are the lyrics that begin the song. The narrator laments on how he feels towards his friend for fooling around behind Sherri’s back. He shares his lamentations toward the situation and the fact that Sherri shows no interest toward him.
Another personal highlight from the album is “Martha Sways.” The slow melodic tempo of the song could bring your eyes half shut. Shauf sings the song as if it were a lullaby, luring his listeners to sway to the song. The narrator sees a girl named Martha drunkenly swaying to the radio. He reminisces on his own past relationships as he watches her sway. The narrator makes a poor decision to dance with Martha letting “the devil take control.” “Dance, dance to the radio while the devil takes control” is repeated on loop as the song nears its end. Shauf describes the guilt mixed with melancholic enjoyment of dancing with Martha.
This album is definitely a timeless classic – there is always comfort in Shauf’s music and is sure to draw any listener to want to explore Shauf’s entire catalog. Fans of Harry Nillson, Elliot Smith, or Courtney Barnett would absolutely enjoy listening to this album.
I am from Austin, Texas and grew up in a small town near San Antonio. I started photography when I was a young teen and I have always had an inclination towards art and music. I have been running a small photo business for six years now, and have learned and exciting things as well as engaged in really cool photography-related opportunities in that time. When I am not taking photos, I am a college student studying electronic media, I love thrifting, I run a small zine called "Sea of Youth" with my best friends, and I am exploring the outdoors.
