Customer Reviews

Like a Van Parked on a Dark Curve

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25 years after their last album, half the original band puts out a record half as good as their first two. For those who know the early Sharks, their strength lay in a loose, funky groove that propelled their English strutting boogie. Chris Spedding's minimal understated guitar parts allowed the remarkable rhythm section of either AndyFraser or Buster Jones and Marty Simon to pound out some of the funkyest rock and roll ever heard. On Like a Black Van . . . , however, despite the presence of the great Pete Thomas, the rhthym section is totally leaden. None of the songs contain even a hint of that fat groove from the earlier material.

Most will remember Snips has having one of the most gloriously ravaged voices in rock and roll. Strangely, 25 years later, rather than his voice eroding further, his voice has cleaned up (clean living?). Still raw, but lacking that primal croak that made you wonder whether it might just break down completely before the record would end.

It's good to hear Snips and Spedding together again, but unfortunately, this reunion is sadly incomplete without the distinctive grooves of "First Water" and "Jab It In Yore Eye".

Nitpicking, perhaps, but the first Sharks album, First Water, was released by Island Records in 1973.

The third (and final) album from the English rock outfit originally formed in 1973 by former Free bassist Andy Fraser (Fraser quit Sharks after only one album). The sessions for "Like A Black Van..." actually began circa 1976, but were scrapped when the band split up. Thanks to a rabid (and rich, we would assume) fan, original Sharks members Snips (vocals) and Chris Spedding (guitar) were lured back to the studio in 1995(!) to re-unite and finish the project (sounds like an episode of "Fantasy Island"). Was it worth it? If you're already a Sharks, Chris Spedding or Snips fan, you won't be disappointed. The boys show us they can still kick serious... on this set, delivering songs with memorable hooks and energetic performances. In fact, Spedding's lead guitar playing is some of his most inspired to date, and Snips' already unique voice seems to actually improve with age. A worthy addition to any classic rock collection.