REVIEW: Adebisi Shank – This is the second album of a band called Adebisi Shank

Review by Robert O’Connor

Complex instrumental rock is showing no signs off weakening in this country. With massively acclaimed releases from And So I Watch You From Afar, I’ll Eat Your Face and Dublin’s own, The Redneck Manifesto already making 2010 one of the best years yet for the style, eyes and ears now fall on Wexford three piece, Adebisi Shank to drive things home with their second album, This is the second album of a band called Adebisi Shank.

Praised for their energetic, interactive and always explosive live performances, the band have managed to deliver a difficult second album that captures their onstage energy while still delivering a highly precise, studio captured sound. Like their debut, This Is An Album From The Band Adebisi Shank, the core of the albums appeal is the individuality and talent of each band member. Every song on this album serves an example of highly talented and creative musicians working harmoniously together. Guitar driven tracks like Masa, Micromachines and Genki Shank show Lar’s incredible force as a guitarist. More stripped back, but no less restrained numbers Frunk and Century City show Vinny’s (aka The Vinny Club) skill as a bassist while drummer Mick Roe adds an unflinching backbone to the entire record whether it’s heavy, slow or just plain indescribable (see International Dreamboat, (-_-) and Logdrum).

The completion may have been stiff but Adebisi Shank have triumphed. This is the second album of a band called Adebisi Shank is a mix of engaging, thoughtful, unique and always entertaining songs, perfectly blended together to make one of the strongest Irish releases we’ve seen this year.

This is the second album of a band called Adebisi Shank is out now on Richer Collective. The band play Whelan’s tonight for its official launch.