Adebisi Shank: This is the Second Album from a Band Called Adebisi Shank (Sargent House, 3/15/11)
Adebisi Shank: “Micro Machines”
[audio:https://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/04-Micromachines.mp3|titles=Adebisi Shank: “Micromachines”]Released to European acclaim in 2010, the aptly titled second album from Irish electro/math rockers Adebisi Shank achieved North American release this year thanks to the peerless Sargent House.
The management company / record label describes the trio as a blend of Fang Island’s shredding riffs with Battles’ electronic quirkiness and rhythmic playfulness. That description isn’t off the mark, but readers won’t get a sense of the band’s real abilities until they hear its hyper-melodic, polyrhythmic, and — most importantly — jubilant songs in full.
Second Album delivers a maelstrom of zany electronics, unusual distortions, and triumphant, rapidly ascending scales mixed with vintage synths, marimba, horns, and other accoutrements. This is all packaged between and around gloriously catchy and powerful rock riffs, resulting in a manic and buoyant sophomore effort.