Album review: Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, Sport Fishin’ (1993)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 27, 1993

By Steve Newton

There’s a tune on this Shadowy Men release called “We’re Not a Fucking Surf Band”, but I dunno—the Shadowy Men still sound like a surf band to me, and that’s a good thing. There’s nothing cooler than the sound of a trebly, reverb-laden guitar melody, backed up by straightforward percussion and soaring bass, and this Toronto trio—which plays live during CBC-TV’s Kids in the Hall—has nearly mastered the art.

The Mexican-flavoured “They Don’t Call Them Chihauhaus Anymore” and James Bond-ish “Spy School Graduation Theme” are stand-outs, but there are plenty of other keepers among Sport Fishin’s 24 tracks.

Fans of the Ventures and Shadows should reel this baby in.