Search - Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet :: Sport Fishin

Creativity at its finest.

07/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many artists put out enjoyable music, but rarely do they leave you hanging on the edge of your seat; wondering what the next track will be like. You won't find anything predictable when listening to this collection of mellow jazz, heavy surf music, and even borderline-western tunes. The tracks are short, but plentiful; putting together what I consider to be an excellent album."

Final effort from Canada's pre-eminent surf-guitar band

Kenton Larsen | Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada | 01/24/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Like the Ventures, Dick Dale, the Duals, and Duane Eddy before them, Shadowy Men's propulsive rhythms and lower-register melodies prove that you don't need a vocalist to have a successful rock and roll band.From the confident frenzy of the characteristically twangy guitars on the opening cuts "Unwatchable/Spend a Night, Not a Fortune", Sport Fishin' is a consistent, if somewhat underwhelming, follow-up to the band's previous CD and true masterpiece, Dim the Lights, Chill the Ham.Once again, the Shadowy Men approach their music lightheartedly, as the song titles "Fortune Tellin' Chicken", Off Our Back Conrad Black" (Canada's widely mocked newspaper magnate), and "Honey, You're Wasting Ammo" illustrate. Despite the CD's light-hearted approach, this turned out to be the band's last release before they broke up, which might explain why it fails to capture the consistency and enthusiasm of their earlier recordings. Current fans will find more to enjoy, but the bait may be too insubstantial to encourage bites from new listeners.Note: Fans looking for the Kids in the Hall theme can find it on Savvy Show Stoppers under the title "Having an Average Weekend.""

Would You Call It Ski Music?

D. Barr | sacramento, ca | 10/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of surf, and surf like music for years. Let me tell you Shadowy Men are the best I have heard. Of course you can't have surf music from Canada (as they so plainly state on a track title on this album), so I guess you call it snow music, sled music maybe. Let me just say that their music goes way beyond skill and into the realm of perfection. If there is a heaven, they must play Shadowy Men there, (along with the Beta Band and Talking Heads, but that's for a different review)."