Action Causes More Trouble Than Thought

Album Review

The first thing one notices about Sushirobo's debut EP (aside from the cover's helmeted individual piloting a roll-cage equipped bicycle strapped with lit fireworks) are the bone-dry, twisted-midrange, alien guitars which have been mixed with an in-your-face attitude. These bizarre tones appear courtesy of Arthur "Rick" Roberts (guitar, vocals) and Johnny Sangster (recording, mixing). Barry Shaw and Clay Martin (who also play in the band Spyglass) keep the rhythm section pumping steadily. The songs appearing here are tight three- to four-minute numbers following the standard pop/rock verse/chorus format. The guitar work tends to have a bit of a robotic/repetitive flavor, which works nicely with the tight rhythm section. The clear upfront vocal makes it easy to decipher Roberts' lyrics, although the meaning of these lyrics is debatable. See the catchy tune "Spaniard City" for his tongue-twisting mouthful "Cecilian sexpot sirens sank the ship." However, the golden rule of all pop-based music is at work here: as long as the song is massively catchy, the intellectual meaning of the lyrics isn't all that relevant. This EP is an extremely focused debut. While its tight focus can not be considered a flaw, neither does it show what other colors the trio may be capable of creating. They instead choose to keep the affair centered on straight-ahead guitar pop/rock. Fans will have to wait for the full-length to hear what else the group has in stock.