Shannon Wright's latest not in the best of hands

Bear vs. Shark - Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands...

2003 Equal Vision Records

Score: 3 out of 5

Post-hardcore is a rather hard genre to get into. Distorted guitars, raucous percussion, thick bass lines and near-indecipherable vocals (some would call them "screams") make for what could best be considered an acquired taste. Sure, some bands have been able to achieve mainstream popularity by sedating their abrasive tendencies with melodic vocals (think Thursday, Recover or My Chemical Romance) and songs about messy breakups, but there's a whole lot lost in the translation from post-hardcore to "screamo."

For some quality post-hardcore rock, I direct you to Michigan's Bear vs. Shark and their debut full-length Right Now You're in the Best of Hands. And If Something Isn't Quite Right, Your Doctor Will Know in a Hurry. While Right Now may have been released in July of 2003, I'm not about to let 15 months prevent me from recommending what is undoubtedly a quality band.

"This is a poem/A combination of a sentence broken up to form a rhythm/You are a poem/Little pieces of my senses broken up to form an image," croons bandleader Marc Paffi at the end of "Ma Jolie," the intense opener to Right Now. Paffi's gruff voice moves from sing-song whispers to full-force bellows, making the most of volume if not vocal range. While tracks like "We Were Sad But Now We're Rebuilding" and "Second" demonstrate Paffi's ability to fully exploit his rather limited voice, they also showcase the dynamic guitar and bass work of Derek Kiesgen, Mike Muldoon and John Gaviglio. The three switch instruments from time to time, sharing responsibilities as guitarists, bassists and keyboardists. You'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference; the transition is that smooth. Frantic drummer Ashley Horak rounds out the talented quintet of Bear vs Shark with his rapid-fire, spot-on percussion.

Despite a cancelled European tour, Paffi and company are still hard at work on their anticipated second full-length, with an expected release in 2005. Keep your eyes open for news about Bear vs. Shark -- they're definitely a band to watch.

Shannon Wright - Over the Sun

2004 Quarterstick/Touch & Go

Score: 2 out of 5

I'm not entirely sure where I stand in regards to Over the Sun singer-songwriter Shannon Wright's fifth release on Chicago indie label Quarterstick Records. Over the Sun is dark and somewhat reminiscent of Tool: a punchy mix of brooding guitar riffs, driving piano sections and steady drum beats. Classical instruments are thrown in for a little variety, such as the flute intro to the opening track "With Closed Eyes" and the cello accompaniment on "You'll Be the Death." Wright's angsty vocals call to mind similar disaffected artists like PJ Harvey and Tori Amos, only without the charm.

Comparisons aside, I find it hard to get an accurate impression of either Wright or of Over the Sun. But I probably need to be sipping bitter coffee in a dark, smoke-filled room to get the full effect. This is a very, very heavy album, one that requires the proper atmosphere in order to fully enjoy it. Over the Sun's sullenness tests the boundaries of mediocrity and is best thought of as background music ... maybe for a funeral or some equally drab affair.

Neither Wright's lyrics nor her musical abilities are able to hold your attention through the entire album. Songs like "Portray" and "Avalanche" start off well enough with their intriguing guitar and piano chords, but they can't seem to move past Wright's constant themes of depression and solitude.

Over the Sun's lyrics and musicianship suffer under Wright's tortured vocals -- her piano skills are choppy at times, and her guitar work seldom strays past simple chords -- a failure that is especially disappointing when you consider that renowned producer Steve Albini (the man behind Nirvana's In Utero) worked with Wright throughout the recording process.

If you like dreary folk rock, you might want to check out Shannon Wright. Then again, if you prefer to not be depressed, you're better off getting your musical fix elsewhere.