This Is the Third Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank
Adebisi Shank push the electronics further forward on their third album. Guitars, bass and drums still drive the music, but synthesizers and processed voices supply its most striking colours. The trio's intricate approach now has a more obvious connection with dance music. This is a record that would rather get you moving than keep you at a respectful distance.
World In Harmony makes that intention clear immediately. The excitement comes from both the sounds and the speed at which the parts react to each other. Big Unit builds anticipation through its extended introduction. Adebisi Shank understand a big entrance, and they have little need for a conventional rock singer to provide one.
Turnaround gives the bass a restless, propulsive role. Mazel Tov moves further towards funk, using handclaps and an unusually direct cheerfulness. Sensation is another highlight: chopped voices and electronic details maintain a strong dance rhythm. The many different sounds feel like parts of the song, rather than decorations added afterwards. Even at its busiest, the playing has a clear shared purpose.
That enthusiasm has limits. Thundertruth makes the sweet side rather too obvious. The record also offers less emotional variety than its large collection of sounds might suggest. Its positive mood can start to feel insistent when you want something more restrained.
Voodoo Vision shows how much difference a little breathing room makes, offering a calmer piano passage before the energy returns. Those moments help the album keep its shape. Adebisi Shank play tightly and sometimes sound almost mechanical, but their melodies remain open and inviting. The third album works best because the band put their technical resources so firmly at the service of that enjoyment.
