I am so relieved to see this album because all too often when a group creates a large body of work like this, that spans several years of writing, naturally, you have your favorite songs off each album. The selection on this album though, is beyond superb. The song list is so well-thought out and this album plays so incredibly well from start to finish, with just enough slow songs in between the faster ones to keep you interested. Yet it leaves the original albums intact as individual works that stand up well on their own right.

The best way I can describe Shen music is Symphonic. This isn't the usual indy guitar, a bass guitar, and some drums to round it off. The layers of sheer music you get for the mere price of listening, is more than a bargain. A mix between the incredibly complex sound of a Tears for Fears, a Pink Floyd, a Bowie, a Queen, with a little bit of ELO and Eagles now and then, as appropriate appetizer to the session you're sitting in on.

Hashemi's vocals are intriguing and haunting, and his range is surprisingly precise and purposeful. Iranian music isn't this raw and emotional. A cross between Al Stewart, Curt Kobain, Eddie Vedder, and especially Nick Drake come to mind.

When an album of mere songs can do this kind of evocation and invocation, I kind of think it is a great thing.

Shen's music touched my soul several times during what was supposed to be just another listen to just another Indy-Alternative-Rock-Pop Iranian band. But it ended up being so much more than that.

If Shen ever tours, I'm seriously getting seriously wasted before I go. I think I might even start a fight or two.
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