March 14th, 2012 
James Shotwell 
Artist: Sharks
Album: No Gods
Genre: Punk rock
Label: Rise Records, Velvet Scene
Sharks seem possessed of a profoundly disaffected outlook which belies their position at the vanguard of contemporary British punk rock. No Gods is their first full-length, after a wave of well-received EPs and singles which have allowed them to build up a steady following. The faithful ought to be pleased with this record, a relatively straightforward but endlessly enjoyable album that comes laden with refreshingly upbeat, enthusiastic anthems.
The band do seem to have a fairly reliable approach to their songs, as the basic structure remains more or less the same, but they use this to build a winning formula of effervescent riffs and devil-may-care attitude. There’s a persistently sunny vibe running throughout the album and it’s one that makes the songs uniformly infectious, no matter how strong their individual credentials. The album is as cacophonous and organic as any punk band should sound, but it’s steered by aggressive ambition and strong songwriting.
“Til the Wonders Rise” is a bright opening. The guitars are shrill and powerful, fuelling a brash and boisterous track with unrelenting flair. It can seem a little over-eager sometimes, but this willingness to impress is so good-natured it seems churlish to condemn it. The stupendously-named “Arcane Effigies,” released earlier this year as the first single, has a careful rhythm and builds tantalisingly into something provocative and arresting. It, like many of the others, has a monstrous third act solo that confirms its meteoric ambitions and injects all with a commanding sense of life. It is vivid, and corrosive, and speaks volumes for the band’s ability to craft an invigorating yet easily accessible track.
After this opening bombast, “Able Moving Hearts” seems a little more naturalistic. It gains pace and effect as it develops, keeping the harmonies understated to allow for more pensive undertones in the music. Its ending is typically powerful, which is a little disappointing, as up until this the band showcase impressive skill in crafting something more intricate and refined. “On A Clear Day You Can See Yourself” is serene and disaffected, with a frolicking, easy rhythm that sums up the general ethos running throughout No Gods. As they reach “Patient Spider,” the band loosen up even further and embrace an irreverent, rambling side to themselves. The song is a bit harebrained in its musical elements, but the sentiment seems pure and genuine, and this coupled with its quirky imagery and twinkling harmonies wins it favour. “Turn To You” doesn’t immediately fare as well. Its opening solo feels a bit melodramatic, even with the longing, nostalgic air of the verses. Its rhythm is a bit too stilted and the song loses much appeal by wallowing in syrupy indulgence. The execution is perfectly decent, but compared to how exciting the other tracks are this feels a little underwhelming.
“What Entails” is breezy and entertaining, and the final two tracks provide a textbook double whammy with which to end the record. “Luck” is the more serious of the two. Its opening strains are focused and intent, setting aside the freewheeling spirit of the prior songs. It’s a little more dignified as a track, if not necessarily sombre, although there is a distinctly grave air in the vocals. This approach is slightly more even and it actually suits the band better, as they have time to construct a thorough message before drowning it in explosions of raucous banter. “No Gods” returns to the sparky sound of the album’s first half, with an undemanding and rigorous set up to ensure the record ends memorably. It seems acutely aware of its position as the final song, and accordingly undertakes a lengthy, philosophical-style solo before petering quietly into conclusion. As a denouement, it seems unduly lengthy and extravagant perhaps, but it does ensure No Gods leaves its listeners with a thought-provoking aftertaste.
Sharks are named, apparently, for a Gallows song and they reflect many of the latter’s admirable qualities. They’re not quite as vociferous or incendiary, shall we say, but they do know how to write aggressively enthralling songs and pack a punch or two. No Gods is a consummate full-length that cements their position as something exciting and inspiring for the genre and it deserves recognition among fans of punk and plain rock alike.
SCORE: 8/10
Review written by Grace Duffy
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