Music - Shark Speed "Education_E.P."

If you’re like me and didn’t think local, progressive rock band Shark Speed could get any better, prepare to be blown away- because they have. The group’s sophomore release, “Education,” is a four-song EP that showcases the band’s progress and maturity over the past year.

In August I sat down with the band and talked about the new EP. One of the most important things for them during the songwriting process was that they didn’t want to recreate “Sea Sick Music,” their 10-song debut album released last January; they wanted to try something new. This idea made me a little nervous because I loved “Sea Sick Music” so much that I actually wanted more of it. So I didn’t know what to expect, and, to be honest, I was afraid of being disappointed.

Then I listened to “Education” and within the first few seconds, I knew the band had done it; they had successfully recorded four new songs, keeping that classic, dance-rock, Shark Speed sound we’ve grown to love while at the same time adding completely different elements. The combination created the perfect follow-up album.

Singer Thayne Fagg’s vocals seem more mature and polished; the use of different samples in the songs is more dominant and noticeable and the overall sound of the EP feels very clean and even more put together than the debut album.

My favorite track on the EP has to be “Like a Dead Dog.” The song has it all: clever lyrics (“Don’t let your thoughts be controlled by whether, so many memories of you penetrate my mind. They’re floating in and out just like a feather or like the hissing of a tape as I push rewind”), a catchy chorus, great vocals and of course, that wonderful trumpet I always look forward to with anticipation at each show.

I told everyone I knew last year that Shark Speed couldn’t have done any better on its first time around with “Sea Sick Music.” Once again, I don’t think the band could have done any better on its second time around. You’re going to love “Education.”

“Education” will be released this Saturday night (January 30th) at Velour.

Posted by Spencer Flanagan