Shed Some Skin - Slow Gherkin

Advantages: The best songs on one album
Disadvantages: Not many people remember them

...So what if I told you that in the early 90’s Oasis were playing second fiddle to an up and coming band from York. How about if I told you they were tipped to go on and rule the Indie world? I bet you wouldn’t believe me on either count would you? Well that was exactly how Shed Seven started out, being tipped to be more successful than Oasis. Well I can testify that the Shed are still going with the original line up re-united and still belting out the classics. I saw them on Saturday night and they really were on top form. They had some huge singles that people didn’t even realise was them, they ruled the Shine albums along with Dodgy, I don’t think there was on released without them. This album brings together Shed Sevens best tracks all onto one CD and really is one of the best albums I own. Shed Seven are: Rick Witter: Vocals Tom... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some Fine Tunes.
Disadvantages: The Nondescript Ones.

...indie album. It's got the choruses, the guitar mix and the whippet like vocals. Harmless pop that won't fill your head with dreams, perhaps its slight nature is ultimately its undoing. There are a few highlights though. 'Speakeasy' has a spiky guitar entrance and a breezy cool nature that levitates its groovy nature. 'Ocean Pie' is also wonderful. A slow burner that resonates classicism and insightful lyrics that are sadly prophetic. 'I don't need to live, I need to survive' neatly describes the bands hanging on by a fingernail situation. While there are a few duds the album posesses more hooks than a seabound trawler. It's like Mr. Witter figures that if he throws out enough candyfloss some of it will stick. So you get a Dead or Alive homage on 'Dolphin', something approaching an average Suede tune on 'Stars In Your Eyes' and the indie... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some excellent songs, A live album at last, Sounds really good when you;ve seen the live
Disadvantages: Rick Witter's crowd interaction feels flat in places

...and every track on this album gets a phenomenal reaction from the adoring crowd. Singer Rick Witter still has that definitive style that shines through from the albums, but it sounds infinitely better live. He brings each track to life and that's really what the Shed Seven live experience is all about. The only let down with the live album and it's something I noticed when I saw them during the same tour, is the feeble attempts by Witter to interact with the crowd. It's the only time the quality drops a bit as he only seems to half heartedly makes a comment out of some sort of necessity. It'd almost be better if he just got on with it and didn't worry about the interaction. Despite the odd hiccup here and there it's musically an excellent example of what they can do. The guitar is clearly the centre instrument of the band and that's what makes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful