More spikey than fluffy
Cuddly Shark are a 3 piece from Scotland that deliver dark and discordant punk edged indie that falls somewhere between the Pixies and early Talking Heads.
‘The Punisher of IV30’ is a pretty uber cool track that bemoans the area in which two of the band grew up. It’s mid-paced but it has that sense of urgency and rawness that the first new wave bands had in the late 70s.
‘Hails of Bay’ by comparison is a bit crap really; I’m sure it’s supposed to be funny with the imitation American accent and it’s ‘Country meets the Velvet Underground’ feel but it’s just all rather annoying and it takes some will power not to turn it off before the end. ‘Jamie Foxx on Later with Jools Holland’ is thankfully far better despite it only lasting for about 20 seconds! Cuddly Shark clearly have enough presence about them to make an impact and for their first foray into the studio this is an impressive beginning, the real judgement though will come on the strength or otherwise of a full length release.