That Shadow
Dadstache, 2020
10/10
After a 5 year hiatus, the Brooklynites Mount Sharp are back with their fuzzy rock prowess on this debut album that’s equal parts dreamy and rowdy, and even brings some sci-fi references in.
After the rhythmic, post-punk friendly “MBA”, where pretty vocals from Swood flow alongside crashing percussion and fuzzy guitars, the album settles in nicely with the jangly indie-rock of “Domes”, as well as the shimmering quality of the playful “Apostate”.
A listen where each track yields new ideas, “Voyager I” recruits in a spacey aspect to the slow burning affair, while “Don’t” pushes and pulls with soaring tension that will make you drag out your Rainer Maria records. “The Spin”, one of the album’s best, then pairs swift drumming with focused, memorable song craft that lingers long after the song ends.
Near the end, “Bones” is both jagged and sweet in its precise execution, and “Voyager II” exits the listen with ambience amid a soft quality that builds into a cathartic explosion of noisey yet tuneful indie-pop ideas.
A listen that will strike a chord with aging punks who grew up on J Mascis records who aren’t afraid to admit an affinity for Fleetwood Mac, That Shadow is a triumphant return and one of the best records of 2020 so far.
Travels well with: The Persian Leaps- Electrical Living; Palm Haze- Reve Bleu