ShellShag

• Share
  • Email
  • Del.icio.us
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Newsvine
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Facebook
• Print
• Write to the editor
• Feeds
  • PopMatters
  • Listen

Amazon

Brooklyn duo ShellShag have played with a lot of people and are known for their rather rowdy live shows. Nothing like The White Stripes or any other duo for that matter, ShellShag rely on gritty vocals, minimal arrangements and an energy that probably works better on stage than on this record. Lead singer Shell shrieks at times through “Shut Up” but sounds just as much like David Bryne on other occasions. Think Death From Above 1979 and things get a bit clearer for this track. Meanwhile “Bridge” and especially “Make Love” could have been recorded by The Breeders in their heyday but “Happiness” is the first real gem presented, a fuzzy, guitar-driven number. “Gary’s Note” name-drops Joey Ramone and seems to be the band’s ballad but things get back to normal with “Little Birdy” that could have been found on Paul Westerberg’s Mono/Stereo album. Fortunately ShellShag aren’t reinventing the wheel with this record, but they definitely have something to offer judging by “Kiss Me Harder” and “Shallow”.

RATING: