Sharks-No Gods
Having done the unusual and hammered America's touring circuit over the past couple of years Sharks have built up a decent and international following without having a full-length out in the public domain. 'No Gods' is the eventual fruits of those labours and is a solid and impressive debut that suggests the quartet are only going to get better.
Including firm nods to The Clash and Social Distortion with elements of Brit-Rock thrown into the mix, their sound is both relaxing and uplifting and certain to raise fists aloft, the "Hey Rudy Rudy!" chorus of lead single Arcane Effigies being a prime example. It's firm anthemic stuff throughout with moments of complete brilliance that hint at a bright future to come, the magnificently rolling On A Clear Day You Can See Yourself is a flooring standout, Dawn Soft Light is an example of a rock song done to the highest quality in the present day and Luck reminds one of a beautiful sunset in its flawless rising and falling dynamics, when the album hits it's totally evocative. It's still very much a debut record though and there's room for improvement with certain songs not having the same impact as others and moving past without much of an effect but largely this is a striking effort.
It's a diverse collection too with Turn To You feeling like an authentic slowdance and then the title-track peppered with towering Springsteen anthemicness. In the current healthy condition of British rock this deserves a place as much as any.