Boston's YOKE SHIRE are no spring chickens. In fact, they've been distributing a unique blend of 70s-influenced jam rock for fourteen years. Their latest offering, "The Witching Hour" is a gorgeously packaged 2-cd set with lots of original artwork and extensive liner notes. It's obvious that the brothers Brian and Craig Herlihy are talented musicians that can tackle anything from guitar to keys to marimbas and even some instruments that can't be pronounced. The only thing they're missing is the almighty rock.

"The Witching Hour" is really quite an accomplishment, consisting of two CDs and nearly 90 minutes of a band hovering around the flame without succumbing to it. Craig's voice is haunting, reminiscent of Frank Marino in his heyday. Twin guitar harmonies swell into the mix occasionally, plenty of wah, even a Mellotron in "Midnight Chimes". But it's all background music for the gourmet coffee house or nature store and there is no rock to be found whatsoever! Every time a distorted guitar riff surfaces from the bed of acoustics, horns, or dulcimers, it evaporates into thin air as the band's dull dentist office jams float along like incense smoke. The most frustrating aspect of YOKE SHIRE is how close they come to being interesting. Tracks like "A Myriad of Moons" and the title track show so much promise, and seem poised to break out into a riff like JOURNEY does in "Nickel and Dime" or a great hook like JETHRO TULL does in "Jump Start". But it never happens. Hands down, YOKE SHIRE wins 2007's 'least rocking rock band' award. Tragic.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.yokeshire.com

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