Shannon and the ClamsShannon and the Clams Onion

Shannon and the Clams Onion on LP

Oakland-based, indie garage punk quartet Shannon & the Clams, known for a diverse sound that incorporates elements of doo-wop, early rock & roll, classic R&B, garage psych, and surf rock as influences, releases their fifth album, Onion, this time working with producer Dan Auerbach and Easy Eye Sound. The song "Backstreets" is guitarist Cody Blanchard response to the Ghost Ship fire, and particularly the issues of artist housing and being forced to make your own way in a society that is not arranged to accommodate artists. Album closer "Don't Close Your Eyes" is Shannon's response, an inspirational ballad urging those suffering through loss to not give up in the midst of tragedy. "It's Gonna Go Away," is the album's biggest stylistic departure, mixing elements of soul, disco, R&B, psychedelia, the Zombies, chanting and baroque while opener "The Boy" is quintessential Clams, a heavily 60s rock inspired track with a mournful hook.