Shirts (the) - s/t

Name: The Shirts
Album: s/t
Year: 1978
Style: Folk-Rock
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Mamas & Papas, 10 Wheel Drive, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood
"One-Word" Review: Jangley Hippy Rock
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Capitol

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

The Shirts (1978)

1. Reduced to a Whisper 3:28
2. Tell Me Your Plans 3:10
3. Empty Ever After 3:52
4. Teenage Crutch 3:00
5. Tenth Floor Clown 4:42 / 
6. The Story Goes 4:00
7. Lonely Android 3:55
8. Running Through the Night 3:46
9. They Say the Sun Shines 3:22
10. Poe 3:47

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Arthur La Monica - Guitar, Vox, Keys (Rome 56, Ex Norwegian)
• Robert Racioppo - Bass, Vox (Bob of the Shirts, Rome 56)
• John "Zeek" Criscione - Drums, Vox, Percussion (Bob of the Shirts, Rome 56)
• Ronald Ardito - Guitar, Vox, Keys (Fred Schneider & the Shake Society)
• Annie Golden - Vox (Hair, Orange is the New Black, Jing)
• John Piccolo - Keys, Guitar, Vox (Idle Chatter)
• Mike Thorne - Producer
• Gary Edwards - Engineering
• Roger Bechirian - Engineering
• Pat Stapley - Engineering
• Paul Hardiman - Mixing
• Ken Perry - Cutting
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Ken Anderson - Design
• Larry Racioppo - Shirts Logo
• Ebet Roberts - Liner Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Shirts. Like the simple still life with assumed action cover art, and the sizable 6-person band on the back looks like Dexy's Midnight Runners, so I'm guessing this might be a folky, jazzy pop sort of record.

Album Review: The album has a folky, late 60's Woodstock vibe to it mixed in with a little theatrical / musical elements. It feels kinda bland like a lot of introspective jangley college rock records, save the songs Teenage Crutch and Lonely Android, which have a faster, vibrant feel that i could see being played at CBGBs: the club they got their big start opening for acts like Television and Talking Heads. Nowadays, the (ex) member most recognizable is singer Annie Golden, who recently appeared as the silent inmate on Orange is the New Black. She has been a more prolific actor through out her career, also appearing in Hair, Cheers, and 12 Monkeys as well.

Stand Out Track: Teenage Crutch

Links:
Youtube full album
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Rate Your Music
Website
Stereo Society
Annie's IMDB