"Don't worry about shit, but just go have a fun time!"
That's the advice from Grandmother Sharkmuffin that kicks of Sharkmuffin's sophomore LP, Tsuki. And life certainly throws some shit at you: break-ups, loss, countless obstacles and frustrations. Over the last few years, Sharkmuffin have been one of those things I can turn to when I just want to go have a fun time and forget about all that shit for a while. The band obviously heed Grandmother Sharkmuffin's advice on Tsuki; and, in the process, they give us all a portable anytime-you-want fun time.
Early single "Space Glow" kicks things off with jagged and bouncing guitar. The song goes from aggressive to spacey and moves through a few tempo changes over the course of its two minutes. In a theme repeated throughout Tsuki, Tarra Thiessen's vocals build to the bursting point in a few spots, signaling that lots of those fun times serve as a release for some of that pent up shit.
"Little Bird" is a psychedelic wall of noise about someone trying to claw their way to big shot (Big Bird?) status. "Puppy Love" trades some of Sharkmuffin's psych / garage sound for more of a post-punk vibe as it rides Natalie Kirch's bassline. It's a dark stand-out on the record. Thiessen's brittle, high-pitched guitar plays off against Kirch's heavy, chugging bass on "I Wanna Be You." The song, again, builds tension as Thiessen's voice climbs during the chorus.
Sharkmuffin distill a number of influences on Tsuki -- psych rock, punk, grunge, surf. "Too Much Fun" is a slinky tribute to 60s girl groups with its "shoop, shoop" backing vocals.
Natalie Kirch contributes lead vocals for the first time and shines on "Leather Gloves." "Sweep me under the rug. I'm to dirty to lo-ove." Her performance is another addition to the ever-growing Sharkmuffin sonic arsenal.
Album-closer "Sweet Tea" is another departure for the band. It's slow and almost Beatle-esque with its keys and backing vocals as Tarra Thiessen remembers a past relationship. "I will always be your Sweet T(ea)."
This is a cliché, but Tsuki really is a big step forward for Sharkmuffin. The band explore some new sounds and add some new elements while retaining the hair-tossing, hip-shaking feeling that has defined them since the beginning.
And, I'm being 100% honest when I say -- whether it's Tsuki with Kim Deuss joining Tarra and Natalie on drums or a Sharkmuffin live show with Drew Adler on drums and Chris Nunez on guitar -- I've had some of my favorite fun times with Sharkmuffin. Tarra Thiessen bashing into me as I try to take pictures at a live show. Bouncing alone in my office with Tsuki turned up loud.
Life isn't always a fun time. On Tsuki, Sharkmuffin take all of that shit that life can dole out and re-fashion it into a cathartic fun time that we can all share.
Tsuki is out now on Little Dickman Records.
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