Explosive

The problem with the debut album from Cork’s The Shades is largely one of preconception. One glance at their personnel – eight members playing a variety of instruments, samplers and decks – and you’d expect a Jimmy Cake, 8 Ball, Northlight Razorblade type affair.

The actual results, however, are far more stripped down than that and veer dangerously close to the middle of the road. Get your head round where they’re coming from however, and Explosive starts to open up and reveal its true merits. It also helps that the record grows in stature as it goes on. The first few tracks meander somewhat, flirting with an Air-like chilled ambience but never really connecting, sounding more like work in progress than the finished article. That complete picture does emerge, though, from sixth track ‘Tripping Tune’ onwards. They start to really sound like an eight-piece and an impressive wall of sound develops, culminating in the wig out finish to final track ‘Long Time’. There’s even a secret hidden track too, which happens to be the best thing on the whole record. The start of something potentially very special.