Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Sheppard, Empire of Song/ MGM 2020.
I have been following the skyrocketing career path of Brisbane siblings Sheppard for some time, reviewing each single as they released it, and now their lockdown project has finally been slated for release on the 19 February 2021.
Sheppard have come a long way in a few short years and can now be considered highly successful international musical artists.
Kaleidoscope Eyes is their third full length album and it presents a band that has matured in outlook and grown in confidence.
The album has been two years in the making.
They began the writing process back in 2019 while taking a break after a couple of years of constant touring.
This of course was before the pandemic took hold and the enforced longer layoff than planned has probably worked to their advantage.
Years of constant travel and cramped living in hotel rooms can be very wearing and has brought about the demise, or near demise, of many bands, especially those comprised of siblings.
So COVID-19 has in fact given them an opportunity to take time out and experience a near normal life again.
This extra time has been reflected in their songs which, although still firmly planted in the pop genre, sound more assured, complex, and complete.
Kaleidoscope Eyes is really an album of love songs; the wonder of love, the excitement and joy, the all consuming passion, but also the loss, heartbreak and pain.
The album title is a strong metaphor for the content of the songs.
A kaleidoscope is really only a tube that contains shards of smashed glass; however we know that it can also reveal tremendous beauty with each turn.
It reminds us that beauty and happiness can always be found and that each ending is also a new beginning.
Sheppard came out of hibernation to perform at the AFL grand final and they may be able to resume touring next year.
