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Shaka Ponk - Bad Porn Movie Trax [Album]

Guess What!

by Gillianxoxo, July 13th, 2010 and has been Read 4883 times.
Last Edited by: Chris MUG5 Maguire July 14th, 2010.

Most music enthusiasts would be hesitant to give a band a chance with an album title of “Bad Porn Movie Trax,” with a musical mascot being a digital monkey. In most cases the skepticism would be a good choice; however in this case that would be a very bad move. Shaka Ponk sometimes abbreviated as SHKPNK is originally from France but moved to Berlin, Germany to jumpstart their music career. The band has experienced a couple of line-up changes but has definitely not lost an ounce of their uniqueness.

“Bad Porn Movie Trax” is the third major release from the quite cultured SHKPNK. The band is made up of C.C. (guitar), Frah (vocals), Mandris (bass), Ion (drums), and Steeve (keyboard and samples). The songs on the album are sung in French, English or Spanish. SHKPNK is a little similar to the sounds of Daft Punk.

The band uses many different elements to create their innovative sound. The sound varies from rock in the track ‘Some Guide’ to funk-like in the track ‘Prima Scene’. There is also a hint of hip-hop in ‘French Touch Puta Madre’ which contrasts the tribal, almost Bollywood beginning to ‘Make it Mine’. There is even what sounds like a didgeridoo in the first few moments of the song ‘ Just A Nerd’. The opening track ‘Twisted Minda’ is danceable and fresh, as are most of the tracks on this album. The first half of the fourteen total tracks are more electronic while the second half changes into a moer simple and less electric sound. The vocals have a very distinct sound, are mostly male with occasional female vocals like in ‘This is How We Kill Stars’. The heavy synths and enhancers sometimes overshadow the lyrics and singing but it is not bothersome. The track ‘Alak’Okan’ which when said aloud sounds like “I Like Cocaine,” has a ska element to it.

"Bad Porn Movie Trax" truly shows the talent of this band. It has so many diverse components that one would never think would mix, but somehow Shaka Ponk makes it work. The music scene these days is flooded with bands claiming to be unique and fresh. More times than not that is just a clever marketing ploy. On the other hand, every once in a while there is a hidden gem found and that just so happens to be Shaka Ponk. Shaka Ponk is a prime example of don’t judge a book by its’ cover, or in this case, don’t judge an album by its’ cover and/or title.