“If the meek shall inherit the Earth, then Blind Uncle Harry has a large chunk stashed away.”
“With this loose, rural-country psychedelic charm, it taps into It feels as if it were transmitted from another universe, another era, and sits starkly at odds with the culture at large.”
Blind Uncle Harry encourages us to celebrate ourselves on the self-care anthem of “Shambala Warrior.” If the meek shall inherit the Earth, then Blind Uncle Harry has a large chunk stashed away. With this loose, rural-country psychedelic charm, it taps into the dreamlike acid lullabies of Syd Barrett, Van Dyke Parks, and similar ilk. It feels as if it were transmitted from another universe, another era, and sits starkly at odds with the culture at large. Being a counter-cultural warrior is by no means a bad thing; in fact, it probably leads to a happier, healthier life in this age of rage. The guitar work and loose rhythms add to the carefree attitude that the lyrics explore.
Things start off strong, celebrating those who are strong for us. This typically means those who can march to the beat of their own drummer. Given how off-kilter the drums are here, he is happy to provide that unsteady yet emotional beat to those lives. He uses a semi-playful series of word choices with a fluttery quality, making sure everything works out perfectly. For how easy-going the whole thing is, it remains undeniably catchy. Over the course of the journey, the character study gets more and more involved. When it reaches that final peak, that moment of pure realization, it feels well-earned.
“Shambala Warrior” has Blind Uncle Harry deliver a gorgeous, principled piece, one that lists the endless possibilities always available to us.