Spiders, the electrifying band from Gothenburg Sweden is back again with their 4th LP “Sharp Objects”, an album which justifies the reputation of this band to produce high quality/high energy rock n’ roll and takes them further on their music quest. This is hard rock at its best, with a direct hit to the core essence of what rock n roll stands for and how it is supposed to be played.
This record is very nicely made, having the trademark sound on guitars by John Hoyles, a guitarist with such a rich past and a very promising present and future who can do fantastic things with his 6-string! Riff after riff he and Rickard showcase a dynamic and electrifying guitar duo, which conquers the listener and fills in with wonderful melodies and catchy solos and leads. On vocals, the captivating Ann-Sofie Hoyles proves that she delivers so convincingly, better than ever and in great form, shines again (she reminds me of Debbie Harry or Stevie Nicks), reminding us that she is a great rock singer and performer. Having listened lately the early Spiders stuff, you can really tell how great she has evolved, including the backing vocals, even though when you ask her, she does not admit that (Ann-Sofie, you do that great as well)! By all means, she is a fantastic singer! Speaking about vocals, in “Fun in the Sun” and “Life Mission”, two of my album favorites, John handles the lead vocals in a brilliant manner, something he is very good at, if we recall for example, his solo work a few years ago, or other collaborations he has done in the past (e.g.: The Population, etc.), he is a great singer as well! Moreover, the drums and bass are very solid and add up to the very compact and groovy sound of the album, and I must say I enjoy very much how Oskar has played and recorded the drums, I really like the way these sound on the entirety of “Sharp Objects”. This album has been in the good hands of and been produced by Chips Kiesbye (The Hellacopters, Sator, The Nomads), mixed by Martin “Konie” Ehrencrona (Viagra Boys, Freedom, Les Big Byrd) and finally mastered by Magnus Lindberg (The Hellacopters, Imperial State Electric, Cult Of Luna), elevating the quality of the final sound and making it even better I reckon.
“Sharp Objects” incorporates a lot of the band’s influences from punk/garage rock of 60s and the 70s to vintage and glamour rock. For example “Shcizoid” brings up the Rolling Stones and “Gimme Shelter”. The vintage feeling/element, the glamour essence, the pure hard rock riffs and the punk/garage attitude all guarantee that “Sharp Objects” is so nicely conceived and delivered, but it also fortifies Spiders as one Sweden’s finest examples of a modern hard rock band with their hearts and soul to the past but their eyes and mind to the future for their next music adventures.
8/10
Text by Antonis Mantzavinos
Tracklist
- Rock ´n´ Roll Band
- Sweet Boy
- What´s Your Game (Miss Insane)
- Fun In The Sun
- Schizoid
- Mess With My Emotions
- Too Hard For You
- Valentines
- Life Mission
- Love Yourself To Death
- Would You Miss Me?
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