I'm Invincible! I'm Built Like a Sherman Tank. Somebody Try And Stop Me!,
Mr ShirazIf there was an award for longest album title of last year then the honour would surely go to Mr Shiraz. Their debut release for 10 Past 10 records goes by the incredibly long moniker of ‘I’m Invincible! I’m Built like A Sherman Tank. Somebody Try And Stop Me.’ For the purposes of keeping you, the reader, sane it will be referred to as ‘I’m Invincible’ for the rest of the review.
Mr Shiraz are a seven-piece ska outfit who meld a whole host of musical influences into their own identity. Ska, reggae, funk, rock and metal all clash under the watchful eye of the band’s brass section. ‘I’m Invincible’ opens with a bang, in the shape of ‘End of Days’, a track that features great riffs, pace, bags of energy and a big chorus. You barely have time to pause for breath before ‘S.D.R.R’ rattles past your eardrums as well. The middle of the album sees the band slow the pace down and let their ska leanings pour out of them. The likes of ‘Unquenchable’ and ‘Oh baby’ will have you moving despite yourself.
If there is a small criticism to level at the album it is that it slightly outstays its welcome. Fourteen tracks are a couple too many when the album doesn’t maintain it’s solid standards throughout. However, despite the length the last three tracks are amongst the best on offer. ‘Auntie Mary, ‘Sleeping With The Enemy’ and ‘Sherman Tank’ ensure you are left on a high as the album closes.
With ‘I’m Invincible’ Mr Shiraz have crafted a solid and very enjoyable album. It’s not going to change your life but it will leave you with a big smile on your face, and sometimes that’s just what you need from an album.
www.mrshiraz.com
Mark
