Houston Calling

Review: Sharks and Sailors, Builds Brand New

August 1st, 2008 · 1 Comment

Sharks and Sailors, Builds Brand New

Sharks and Sailors
Builds Brand New
Self-released

Perhaps no other Houston band can contrast moods, styles, and rhythms—or shift from one beat to another—as impressively as indie rock trio Sharks and Sailors. On their first full-length, the band quickly earns the buzz that’s been surrounding the band since their 2006 debut EP. At the heart of the 10-song set is “Cliffs,” a mellow droner that showcases bassist/vocalist Melissa Lonchambon’s deep, dreamy singing style. On much of the album, she keeps it sedate but effective and her voice plays an important role by helping to keep the music from overpowering the songs. Listeners will hang on her every word, and guitarist/vocalist Michael Rollin and power-drummer Phillip Woodward make use of the spaces in between the lyrics to weave impressive, mesmerizing melodies.

At times, the band’s songs are shoegazey mellow (“Cliffs”) yet other songs employ hard-edged guitars (“Rickshaw,” “Terminal Lessons,” “Fix Your Radar”) that build on Sharks and Sailors’ past penchant for ear-shredding riffs. “Builds Brand New”‘s snare drum beat alone makes it one of of the year’s catchiest tunes and Rollin’s lyrics give it an edge that makes it the perfect anti-pop song (“And when the blood’s drawn straight from you / It hurts, it gets me through / With the knives that slice on queue / They tear, they stab right through”). But it’s the closing duo of hypnotic instrumentals—”Hello Sister” and “Candor”—along with the intense, fuzzy “In The Sandbox,” that gives Builds Brand New long-lasting effect. Combined at nearly 19 minutes, once they’re finished you instantly realize you didn’t want the album to end and you’ll immediately give it another well-deserved listen.

Sharks and Sailors celebrates the release of Builds Brand New tonight (Friday, 8.1.08) at Walter’s on Washington. Ume and The Jonx are also on the bill. Should be a great show.

Also read The Skyline Network’s review of the album and an article on the band in this week’s Houston Press.

Tags: Music · Reviews · Show listings

1 response so far ↓

  • 1 Jeremy // Aug 4, 2008 at 10:12 am

    sigh. Argh. Ended up having to spend the evening doing house crap (wife in organizing/cleaning-frenzy mode) and kicking myself the rest of the weekend… :^(

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