Shake

  • Shake
  • Trippin' the Whole Colourful World (Rainbow Quartz) 2006 

In the ’60s, American garages were the breeding ground for countless aspiring bands. Inspired by a myriad of influences, encouraged by a “Hey! We can do that!” mentality and ready to have fun thrashing guitars, drums and the occasional keyboard, they created a musical movement, one whose legacy is raucously resumed by the Shake. The Spanish group’s Trippin’ the Whole Colourful World is full of energy and joy: “Something Real,” with a “Paint It, Black” guitar figure, favorably recalls the Rolling Stones. There’s a bit of the Kinks in the frenzied rocker “Oh No!,” while “Do You Love Me Too?,” “Now I’m Alone” and “Still Haven’t Seen the Man on the Moon” recreate the halcyon days of the Cavern Club. But the Shake also draws upon such American icons as the Lovin’ Spoonful (on “Don’t Like Summertime”). The wonderful “Can’t Fight Your Loving” successfully infuses Dick Dale-inspired guitar with a merseybeat sensibility. Even Paul Revere and the Raiders’ rock and soul is referenced in “You Said Goodbye,” which also pays further homage to the Kinks. (The album also includes a nod to Washington state post-punk rockers the Makers.) Showing a more contemporary flair, Tom Petty meets the Beatles in “She’s My Girl.” Miguel Angel Calabuig is a solid songwriter, rhythm guitarist, and organist (he also contributes percussion). His singing lacks range, but his voice suits the music. Javier Maresca is an excellent lead guitarist and harmony singer; he also handles bass on eight of the 14 fourteen tracks, all of them solidly propelled by Antonio Medina’s drumming.

[Martin Sharp]