ADEBISI SHANK

One of the slew of second waver math rock artists to emerge in the early 2000s, ADEBISI SHANK followed in the footsteps of Slint, Drive Like Jehu and Shellac but most of all was smitten by bands like Don Caballero. Formed in Wexford, Ireland in 2006, ADEBISI SHANK consisted of Mick [Michael Roe] (drums), Lar Kaye (guitar) and Vin [aka The Vinny Club] (bass) and existed until 2014. In its eight year existence the band released three albums and this debut EP. The band's name refers to the character Simon Adebisi from the HBO prison drama series Oz which aired from 1997-2003. The band was notable for its crazed energetic live performances which featured bass play Fincent McCreith covered in a mask.

ADEBISI SHANK is one of the more brutal hardcore math rock acts in hate vein of Hella or The Flying Luttenbachers but also features a sensual smoothness and indie rock sensibilities that has gotten the band compared to Battles. THIS IS THE EP OF A BAND CALLED ADEBISI SHANK was the first release and it featured four feisty tracks with a hardcore punk delivery system glazed over with electronic effects and of course the nerdy rhythmic complexities that give the math rock genre its own genre placement. The band starts out of the gate in hardcore mode with the abrasively quickened "Horse" which features heavy distorted guitar riffs that culminate in extremely erratic solos and an energetic drive that's equivalent to a metal band.

"Jump Out" tones down the metal aspects a bit with choppy repetitive riffing and cleaner guitar tones more in the post-rock camp however with an energetic bantering bass groove. Likewise the drumming patterns are highly caffeinated but the track also shows dynamics shifting from the clean guitar riffing passages to more layered echoey counterpoints. "You Shouldn't Be In White" returns to the raw hardcore math-rocky craziness that the band has been referred to as. While the guitar riffing is back on metal intensity, the soloing showcases the band's use of processing synthesized sound effects to create a touch of chaos amongst the jittery rhythmic drive. Likewise the closing

"Caddyshank" continues in the ferocious hardcore guitar riff driven noise-fest but once again alternates with clean riffing and offers more variations. This one features the most stark contrasts from insanely brutal metal riffing bombast to unaccompanied clean echoey guitar parts slowly strumming away. The band was skilled at the art of contrast and changing things up so the music didn't become monotonous. The mathematical precision which math rock is best known for is fully implemented especially on this closing track. Overall this is an excellent debut EP that showcases the band's ability to deliver some of the most demanding style of math rock that despite showcasing its influences in its mix still managed to find a unique spin on the math rock scene.

Definitely one of the heavier math rock bands out there this debut featured a brutal rawness that the band had pretty much polished over with elements of electronica, bit pop, synth punk and other smoother elements by the time ADEBISI SHANK released its third and more heavily produced final album which also featured Daft Punk style vocoder effects. A pretty unique band in the scheme of things and even you have heard all three albums, this shorter 17-minute EP is well worth your attention as well as it established the band as a heavy hitter in the raw and technically energetic niche of the math rock universe.

Wow, just wow. In a good way! This is a review of the third album of a band called Adebisi Shank, and I'm shedding a few tears as I type this review [...] because the band called Adebisi Shank has broken up. The band [...] played manic math rock that's crazed both as a piece of fiercely played math and as a statement of musical wierdness and whimsy. To an extent, Gong on speed and the SNES. Not the best comparison, but they certainly had the fun and the quality. Their unique sound comes from adding some neat electronic and video game soundtrack influences, distant but tasted. And they had the chops to pull off the whole formula with ease and freshness. This just makes for an enjoyable listen. Perhaps the biggest indicator of the wonder of the band called Adebisi Shank is that some of their fans considered this a slight disappointment compared to their first two efforts, for somehow. Not sure how, as this is about as masterful as it gets, like those two, but there you go. Highly, highly recommended.

I'm glad I listened to their second album first. If I had listened to this album first, I don't think I would have wanted to hear the second. What a leap these guys made between albums. The difference in quality between the two is similar to the difference between Genesis' Revelation and Trespass. Okay, exagerrating a little, but you get the point. The music here sounds more indie/alternative with strong math, metal and punk influences. Nowhere near as memorable or varied as the next album.

"YouMe" and "Shunk" both have a little bit of talk-box vocals. "Mini Rockets" has an interesting part with just guitar and the sound of rockets in the distance. Later some fast guitar which becomes altered to sound like a synth. "Snakehips" has some handclaps. Those are the most interesting moments on the whole album. The majority of this sounds like modern punk and/or metal influenced indie music performed by math-rock dudes.

The playing is generally good, but the songs themselves lack something...anything which would make them more interesting and 'progressive'. It still boggles my mind how much better and different the next album is. It almost sounds like two different groups recorded these albums. Having your first album also be your worst is better than having your debut be your greatest(which happens sometimes). Can't really recommend this one, but if you haven't heard the second album yet...by all means do so. It's great. For this I give 2 stars.

Adebisi Shank is a math-rock group from Ireland. This is their second album(duh!). I have never heard their first. I don't know if you can stream that album the way you can this one. I've listend to this at least five times. I love it the more I hear it. A lot of the music here sounds like Battles, but more diverse and fun. If these guys keep making albums of this quality I will become an instant fan.

This is mostly an intrumental album, but there are some vocals modified with vocoder and other effects. "International Drumbeat" has some goofy, upbeat electronics before some rockin' guitar and drums appear. For the majority of the song, these two parts alternate with each other. Around 1 1/2 minutes there is a great part with synthesized horns(or are they real?). "Masa" has crowd noises at the beginning and end. Great bass in this song. Some shredding-like guitar and processed vocals. Over halfway through the music stops and then proceeds to do a start/stop thing. It ends with a good steady drumbeat and fast guitar.

"Genki Shank" is a highlight. Nice bass. After a minute there is some catchy math-rock guitar. Vocoder vocals. Before 2 minutes is a duel with guitar and synth. Before 3 minutes comes a great part. Vocoder and guitar in unison play what sounds like "oh, baby...I love ya". Then a guitar and then synth solo. "Micromachines" has flute-like sounds at the beginning. The rest of the song is very Battles-sounding. "(-_-)"(how do you pronounce that?) is a great melodic and catchy song. Reminds me of the tropics. Some phased drums and robotic chipmunk sounds. An almost hip-hop beat at the end.

"Longdrum" starts with xylophone-like sounds. After 2 minutes the drums change beat with some nice guitar and atmospheric keyboards. Everything stops after 5 minutes. Then an unrelated minimalist part starts and increases in tempo. "Bones" has some awesome synth near the beginning. Great guitar parts. "Frunk" starts with blues-rock style guitar. It then goes into more traditional math-rock territory. Before 2 minutes some processed vocals and then a percussion section. "Century City" has funky bass and good guitar. Over halfway through there is some great synth noises and solid drumming.

Definately one of the better albums I have heard in the past few years. Great stuff. If you want to hear a more melodic and eclectic version of what Battles does, this is for you. Don't know if this is a masterpiece yet or not but it deserves 4 stars.