Album Review: Mic Harrison’s Pallbearers Shoes
Mic Harrison’s Pallbearers Shoes is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Released in 2004, it blends rock, folk, and a dash of country into something both familiar and refreshingly raw. The record feels like a late-night chat with an old friend—comfortable but not without its sharp edges. It’s got that singer-songwriter vibe where every lyric seems to carry a little weight, like Harrison’s just telling you his stories over a beer or two.
Take “All at Once,” for instance. This track hits hard right out the gate. There’s no grand build-up; it just lays it all out there. The melody sticks with you—not because it’s flashy, but because it’s honest. You can almost picture Harrison sitting alone in a dimly lit room, scribbling these lyrics down as they come to him. And yeah, maybe it loops around a bit too much (the album repeats some tracks—quirky move, Mic), but somehow it works. It’s like hearing the same story twice from different angles, and by the second time, you catch details you missed before.
Then there’s “Hole in My Heart.” Man, this one lingers. It’s slower, more deliberate, and Harrison’s voice cracks in places like he means every word. The song feels personal, like he’s singing about someone who really mattered to him. Maybe it’s cheesy to say, but it reminds me of those moments when you’re driving alone and suddenly get hit with memories you didn’t even know were buried so deep. The guitar work here is understated yet perfect—it doesn’t try to steal the spotlight, letting the words do most of the talking.
The production is straightforward, handled by Harrison himself alongside engineer Don Coffey Jr., which fits the stripped-down aesthetic. Nothing feels overly polished, and that’s what makes Pallbearers Shoes stand out. Labels like Blue Rose Records and Valley Entertainment clearly saw potential in this mix of grit and soul, releasing it across Germany and the US.
Honestly, listening to this album feels like flipping through an old photo album. Some pages are blurry, others crystal clear, but each has its own charm. By the end, you realize you’ve been humming along to tunes that don’t demand your attention—they earn it.
So, would I recommend Pallbearers Shoes? Absolutely. But don’t expect fireworks or anything overly dramatic. What you’ll find instead is a collection of songs that feel lived-in, like they’ve been waiting for you to discover them. Oh, and fun fact—I kept mistyping “Pallbearers” as “Pillowbearers” while writing this review. Guess my brain thought pillows sounded cozier. Either way, cozy or not, this album leaves a mark.
