SHARK SANDWICH – ALBUM REVIEWS, JULY 8, 2016, Vol. 14

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Shark Sandwich, Vol. 14 – Speedy Album Reviews for Those on the Go

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Music reviews come in all sizes, but you’re busy and do not have time for flowery language… or sentences, really.

Spinal Tap gave the world the greatest album review of all time:

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Welcome to our “Shark Sandwich” — razor-sharp reviews that sum up an album in five sentences or less.

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Julie Ruin – Hit Reset

This is a Kathleen Hanna project, people. You ought to already own the Julie Ruin’s album, Hit Reset. Deadpan, boogie-able rock and roll is always in season, but it is particularly welcome this time of year. There is really nothing to criticize here. Unless you are lame, and hate good music, you are already getting your wallet out.

Rating: 4 out of 5 whistles

Best Song: “Let Me Go”

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The Avalanches – Wildflower

Wildflower is out now, but I could only pull these three songs on Spotify. If you are like me, you fell in love with Avalanches back in the early aughts, and are thrilled at the release of this follow up. The Australian collective plays with all manner of sounds, textures, samples, etc., to create a fully-immersive listening experience. All sorts of friends show up to help out on Wildflower, including Mr. Biz Markie on “Noisy Eater.” Put it on, turn it up, and tune out the rest of the world.

Rating: (even though I haven’t heard the whole thing yet) 4 out of 5 whistles

Best Song: (see above) “Frankie Sinatra”

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Big Business – Command Your Weather

Seattle duo, Big Business, offer the world fuzzy, low-end rumblers perfect for a night in the desert or playing video games in your parents’ basement. Opening with what can only be described as a “wind chime solo,” these cats waste no time turning up the noise… but not the tempo. It’s been called “stoner metal,” but really? Is that accurate, or even a term that most embrace? No matter, there might not be a huge variety here, but I don’t think that is the point.

Rating: 3 out of 5 whistles

Best Song: “Send Help”

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Biffy Clyro – Ellipsis

Biffy Clyro has a lot going for it. 1. The first track on Ellipsis sounds like a book in the Game of Thrones series, and 2. they are from Glasgow, and I have already established that great music comes from there. Also, they rock. Sometimes channeling Bob Mould, sometimes Weezer, sometimes those and a ton of 90s-centric guitar bands. Fun and dynamic, tight as a drum, Biffy Clyro knows what they are doing.

Rating: 3 out of 5 whistles

Best Song: “Howl”

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All artists are available on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, and wherever else better music is sold, streamed, downloaded, or performed on tour.

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NewsWhistle music contributor Chad Werner is “ahead of the curve, behind the times.” You can contact this rock n’ roll sphinx at chad@newswhistle.com (e-mail) or @scooternotmoped (Twitter).

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Lead-In Art Courtesy of Streis / Shutterstock.com