Band: SSS
Album: Short Sharp Shock
Genre: Punk
Label: Earache
Street Date: 2007
Website: www.earache.com/

It's rare to hear a band that so obviously loves music, whether their own or someone else's. It's clear from the new album by thrash-punk rockers SSS (Short Sharp Shock) that they love what they're doing and could give a shit what you or anyone else thinks about it. This inevitably makes it rock. Liverpool 's SSS was born out of the blended passions of the boys in the band including books, skateboarding, cult films, 80's thrash and roller coasters. These and other diversions flesh out the lyrics of SSS. For instance, tracks “The Beast” and “Son of Beast” are about the roller coasters of the same names that are located in Cincinnati , Ohio —a long way from SSS's home, but such is the nature of passion.

Lyrics aside, the real meat of SSS is the music. The boys have grown up steeped in music that they love and have fused it all together to make SSS sound like the ultimate thrash/metal/punk jam session. Imagine members of Slayer jamming in the studio with the Sex Pistols, only to have the ghostly Cliff Burton show up with some beer and the members of D.R.I. and Suicidal Tendencies. Let the madness ensue. But don't get it twisted; this is not to say that SSS are clones or copycats—far from it. They are still insanely original and deeply authentic. Foxy's frantic vocals are driven hard by the snarling bass of Mark Magill and the incredibly tight rumbling drums of Dave Ferguson. Guitarist Peter Broom obviously learned how to rip face from his metal heroes of the 80's, but still manages to be ominous and fresh at the same time.

My only grumble about this album is that the songs are rarely over two minutes long. (Yes, I get it). This might be a pretty good gimmick for a band that you could tire of quickly, but SSS is not that band and I sincerely wish that the majority of the songs lasted a bit longer. Still, it says a lot that this is my only complaint. And fortunately, whatever is lacking in length is made up for by 17 tracks of pure assault. In short , SSS is the most fun I've ever had that didn't involve a can of Aqua Net, a blowtorch and my ex-Mother-in-laws garage. Go right now, get this CD, put it in, and turn it way the hell up. It'll be like having a mosh pit in your living room.

by Angela Jones
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