The band Shoulders, led by singer Michael Slattery and guitarist Todd Kassens, creates what has been called "drunken carnival music." However, Shoulders' music is difficult to describe: It is wide ranging, from hard rock to gentle ballads, from sea shanties to cabaret music to drinking songs. Slattery, an electrifying performer, is a great American rock poet; his songs tell stories that are simultaneously very dark and wildly joyous. Kassens' guitar work is extraordinary in the richness of tones and the sheer audacity with which he strums the chords; his is a unique and powerful brand of playing, which melds magically with Slattery's howl-at-the-moon vocals. Shoulders' instrumentation includes acoustic and electric guitar, bass, drums, cello, accordion, parade drum, horns, harmonica, tin whistle, piano, organ, and whatever else the creative ensemble can play. Previous releases by Shoulders include "Trashman Shoes" and "The Fun Never Stops."