SHARK SANDWICH – ALBUM REVIEWS, MAY 20, 2016, Vol. 8
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Shark Sandwich, Vol. 8 – 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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Richard Ashcroft – These People
Former The Verve front man, Richard Ashcroft brings his considerable charm and menace to the summer of 2016, and we are all the better for it. These People is a bittersweet and symphonic 50 minutes or so of music that begs to be played after dark. Acoustic at its core, it is an immersive listening experience that does not lend itself to skipping around from track to track. Light some candles, fix yourself a drink, and settle into the album. It’s been a long week, and you deserve it.
Rating: 4 out of 5 whistles
Best Song: “Everybody Needs Someone to Hurt”
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Bird of Youth – Get Off
Beth Wawerna, the voice and the songwriter behind Brooklyn’s Bird of Youth, has a lot to say about loss, frustration, and ultimately healing? Maybe. Her memories of her father on “Dad” are crushingly sad, made all the more disarming set to a poppy, jangly, Byrds-ish melody. This is the way of Get Off. Wawerna knows her way around a pop song, and doesn’t hold back lyrically. While I am sure she made this album for herself, you feel the whole way through that it was made for you and you alone.
Rating: 4 out of 5 whistles
Best Song: I am sucker for the rock and roll, so I want to say “Bitter Filth,” but “Dad” ultimately takes it. I can, and have, listened to it over and over and over.
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Angel Du$t – Rock the Fuck on Forever
With a title like that, Angel Du$t wins the internet for today. Thirteen songs clocking in at less than 25 minutes is a statement in and of itself. It’s fast, fun rock and roll. Maybe the lyrics are horribly awful, but it doesn’t matter, really. This is the knock-down, drag-out, rock and roll party in the streets this summer. I don’t even feel bad making that reference.
Rating: 3 out of 5 whistles
Best Song: ”Headstone”
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Ariana Grande – Dangerous Woman
Kicking off Dangerous Woman with a strong 50s vibe on “Moonlight,” Ariana Grande delivers what is surely to be one of the biggest albums of the summer. There are bangers, there are tender moments, and there are special guests like Future, Macy Gray, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj. I will give you a crisp $100 bill in September if you manage to avoid Dangerous Woman all summer. *closes wallet with a smile*
Rating: 3 out of 5 whistles
Best Song: “Everyday” (feat. Future)
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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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Lead-In Image Courtesy of Sergey Uryadnikov / Shutterstock.com
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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).
