Shark Speed is a four piece originally hailing from Las Vegas, now based in Utah: Jared and Joseph Christensen (drums and guitar respectively), Hans Ringger (bass) and Thayne Fagg (vocals and guitar). Their debut full-length release “Sea Sick Music” was financed entirely by the band through loans and second jobs. The 10 track album (strangely full of nautical references for such land-locked dwellers) is a shiny anglo-friendly slab of 90s US emo-rock. The songs are highly melodic, full of intricate twin guitar lines and choppy time signature changes. But this is no complex math-rock, it’s much more poppy and accessible. Fagg’s (very British-sounding) vocals can be half-spoken, half-sung but always soar for the pop anthem choruses. The beats have a slight disco feel to them (“I Am A Machine” particularly) which hints at the dance-rock of Franz Ferdinand. Taking all of this into account I have come to the conclusion that overall it is pleasant rather than pleasing; competent but not compelling.

Some of the above suggests variety and restlessness: but it’s not really to be found here. There are little adornments - synth squiggles and programmed beats here and there, trumpet on “Freddy” and “Seagulls” - to add some differentiation, but after five or six tracks it all becomes predictable and too samey. Other than the ballad “Seagulls” songs are delivered breathlessly at the same pace and energy. Yet it still lacks the essential killer hooks or any real depth. Some songs are lyrically clunky: “Battle Born” compares a boy-girl relationship to a war-battle but without wit or dexterity; “And You Are In The Band?” hymns the power of rock ‘n’ roll with toe-curling naff-ness. Ultimately though it is the music that just isn’t memorable enough – it’s all much-of-a-much-ness without even a stand-out track to my ears. I think there’s enough here for others to disagree and find something to admire.

Shark Speed’s debut voyage just didn’t put the wind in my sails.

Tracklisting:
1. Cast Off Dance Off
2. I'm A Machine
3. Freddy
4. Battle Born
5. Seagulls
6. And You Are In The Band?
7. Deep South Detox
8. Man Of Sass
9. Sea Sick
10. Ten to Twenty Years