Shark Speed – Seasick Music

On a couple of spins it would be all too easy to cast off ‘Sea Sick Music’, dismissing it as just another slice of indie fodder. Indeed, there’s a definite wet-look/skinny-fit Club NME essence to the record. In terms of that indie-rock feel, the hook on ‘I’m a Machine’ (“I want to D.E.L.E.T.E.Y.O.U. from the hardware of my mind”) can just about stand toe-to-toe with anything the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian or Bloc Party have levelled on the public. So why should the average Punktastic reader take note?

Well, in all honesty, Average Joe the Punktastic reader probably shouldn’t. Shark Speed is essentially an indie band, and ‘Sea Sick Music’ is essentially an indie record. There are moments that prove somewhat reminiscent of the pre-2000 Mid-West emo scene but these tend not to be at the forefront. In some ways it’s a little similar to the likes of Wintermute‘s ‘Robot Works’ (on BSM Records) but this steers a lot closer to Franz Ferdinand territory. In terms of production and value there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this album. If anything it sounds incredibly crisp, no doubt thanks to producer Bob Hoag (The Ataris, The Format, Scary Kids Scaring Kids), and is an impressive debut.

Where ‘Sea Sick Music’ gets things right is the moments that step away from the template and offer something a little different. The track ‘Sea Sick’ is a perfect example, an all too short atmospheric instrumental interlude that does lend some weight to the “Progressive / Progressive / Progressive” tag on MySpace. The prominent bass and surprising horns on ‘Seagulls’ epitomise the band playing around. Even the almost jazz-like opening thirty seconds of the record (on ‘Cut Off Dance Off’) proves unique enough to prick the ears up a little.

Shark Speed has a solid little record on its hands but it’s a record that doesn’t appeal to these ears. In fairness the PR talk of Minus the Bear and American Football may place ‘Sea Sick Music’ closer to its intended target that this review does, but at the end of the days these ears cannot get around its indie stylings.

Alex