Sharks - No Gods

For a young band to boldly title their debut LP No Gods it takes some bottle, not to mention the need for the tunes to back it up. Sharks clearly have both, with their Rise Records unveiling living up to all expectations.

Having formed in 2007, the quartet’s previous release The Joys of Living 2008-2010 catalogued the early work that has seen them gain fans and support slots with the likes of Social Distortion, Chuck Ragan and The Gaslight Anthem, before signing with Rise last year in a move with signalled the labels intention to add punkier acts to their roster.  

Opening track ‘Till The Wonders Rise’ is a magnificent curtain raiser, with a fuzzy introduction bringing in a pounding rhythm section and the first of many notable riffs. Full of energy, a massive chorus and an intricate guitar solo, it serves as a clear statement for the band, with singer James Mattock emphasising ‘We’re the overestimated underdogs’, a lyric that may well prove a classic motto for an increasing number of fans from both sides of the Atlantic.

Follow up track Arcane Effigies proved a deserved first single for the album, earning frequent Radio 1 airplay from the likes of Zane Lowe, Mike Davies and Daniel P. Carter. It’s brilliant slice of guitar pop-punk, highlighting why lyrically and sonically Sharks have been compared to The Clash. The line ‘hapless sick lay on door-steps of beauty, and the privileged are unhappy’ outlining the quality of lyrics present throughout, which is even more brilliant given the bands young age.

Able Moving Hearts provides an anthemic early candidate for No Gods’ second single, with its ambitious feel perfectly supplemented by Andrew Bayliss’ unique guitar work. The combination of tones and rhythm from Bayliss and Mattock perhaps most resembles that of The Gaslight Anthem and this great attribute of Sharks’ sound is a major highlight throughout the entire album.

On A Clear Day You Can See Yourself and Patient Spider brim with a slow confidence, that gives No Gods an upbeat, summertime feel that is sure to be a hit during this year’s festival season. Turn To You  offers an almost waltz like feel, showcasing the wide number of genres and styles present on the record, from the punk honesty and vigour  of Matthew’s Baby, to the rock n roll swagger of What Entails and the indie-tinged Luck.

Closer No Gods is one of the albums best tracks, serving as a seamless closer to a record without a single note of filler. Soaring and dipping from verse to chorus and back again, it closes perfectly with a raw, commanding and uplifting instrumental section outlining exactly what Sharks appear to be about.

The ability to experiment with differing sounds, whilst wearing their influences on their sleeve to create something entirely original is exactly what Sharks do best, something that has been sorely missing on the UK rock scene in recent years. With No Gods these four, clearly talented and motivated musicians, have combined exactly what has made British punk so great over the years, with real lyrical depth and flair. In doing so, they have set themselves up perfectly for a bright future.  ///              

9/10