Shebang (album)
| Shebang | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 30 September 2022 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Length | 35:00 | |||
| Label | Drag City | |||
| Oren Ambarchi chronology | ||||
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Shebang is a solo studio album by Australian musician Oren Ambarchi. It was released on 30 September 2022, through Drag City. It received universal acclaim from critics.[2]
Background
The inspiration for Shebang came when Oren Ambarchi saw Julia Reidy playing a concert on 12-string guitar.[3] The album includes contributions from Ambarchi (on guitar), Joe Talia (on drums), Sam Dunscombe (on bass clarinet), B. J. Cole (on pedal steel guitar), Johan Berthling (on double bass), Chris Abrahams (on piano), Jim O'Rourke (on synthesizer), and Reidy (on 12-string guitar).[4] It is said to be an extension of past "long-form rhythmic workouts" found on Ambarchi's albums Quixotism (2014) and Hubris (2016).[5]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 82/100[2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Beats Per Minute | 79%[6] |
| Pitchfork | 8.1/10[7] |
| Spectrum Culture | 70%[8] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Shebang received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 82 out of 100 from 6 critic scores.[2]
Vanessa Ague of The Quietus commented that "There's something enticing about the ways Shebang offers each artist their own space yet still maintains cohesiveness, finding the connections between each line to form a quilt made of each artist's individuality."[9] Paul Simpson of AllMusic stated, "As dense as the mix gets, it never suffocates, and all of the instruments are allowed to breathe easily."[4] He called the album "an inventive, vibrant work that constantly surprises and uplifts."[4]
Accolades
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitchfork | The 50 Best Albums of 2022 | 41 |
|
| The Quietus | Quietus Albums of the Year 2022 | 10 |
|
| The Wire | The Wire's Releases of the Year 2022 | 4 |
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I" | 8:00 |
| 2. | "II" | 10:34 |
| 3. | "III" | 6:16 |
| 4. | "IV" | 10:10 |
| Total length: | 35:00 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[1]
- Oren Ambarchi – guitar, other instruments, editing, mixing
- Joe Talia – drums, additional recording, mixing, mastering
- Sam Dunscombe – bass clarinet (1, 2), additional recording
- B. J. Cole – pedal steel guitar (2, 4), additional recording
- Johan Berthling – double bass (3), additional recording
- Chris Abrahams – piano (3, 4), additional recording
- Jim O'Rourke – synthesizer (3, 4), additional recording
- Julia Reidy – 12-string guitar (3, 4)
- Joerg Hiller – editing, recording
- Konrad Sprenger – executive production
- Dick Wolf – executive production
- Stephen O'Malley – design
- April Pethybridge – front cover cake photography
- Traianos Pakioufakis – feet photography
- Glenn Han – party photography
References
- ^ a b Oren Ambarchi (2022). Shebang (CD booklet). Drag City.
- ^ a b c "Shebang by Oren Ambarchi". Metacritic. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Richards, Sam (7 March 2024). "Oren Ambarchi: album by album". Uncut. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d Simpson, Paul. "Shebang - Oren Ambarchi". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Eede, Christian (12 July 2022). "Oren Ambarchi Reveals New Solo Album, 'Shebang'". The Quietus. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Martins, Lucas (26 October 2022). "Album Review: Oren Ambarchi – Shebang". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Sherburne, Philip (4 October 2022). "Oren Ambarchi: Shebang". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Simpson, J (11 October 2022). "Oren Ambarchi: Shebang". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Ague, Vanessa (29 September 2022). "The Whole Kit & Caboodle: Oren Ambarchi's Shebang". The Quietus. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2022". Pitchfork. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Quietus Albums Of The Year 2022 (In Association With Norman Records) (page 5)". The Quietus. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "The Wire's Releases Of The Year 2022". The Wire. December 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2025.