Dunedin band Seafog have been together through the mists of time in one way, shape, form or another for many years with singer and guitarist Robin Sharma.
Animal Lovers is the third album from Seafog and was released by Zelle Records. It follows 2015’s Raise Your Skinny Fist, and 2017’s Dig It On Up.
The band and Zelle have pulled out all the stops this time as Animal Lovers is a remarkable double LP, featuring some epic jams and at least one song, Feelings, breaking the 11-minute mark.
Seafog have read, absorbed, and totally re-written the indie-rock handbook - there are layers of distorted and jangling guitars, a solid as hell rhythm section of Marty Sadler (drums) and Nigel Waters (guitar), who both provide a firm foundation for Sharma to play with.
There are a couple of slower numbers, but generally this album is full of fast indie rock mayhem.
As odious as comparisons are fans of Pavement, Guided by Voices and The Clean, most people will be able to pick up this double LP and rock with it for its duration.
I never got it when marketing executives would add a ‘must be played loud’ sticker on the album cover. My guess would be purely to sell more units. However, all bullshit subterfuge aside this album does in fact sound better played at high volumes.
Track 3, Purakaunui is a song which has been around for many years, having always been a live favourite. I recall Robin adding a haka to the song about half way through. It was always spine-chilling. There’s no haka on this version, but it is always a ripsnorter of a song.
Bloody good slice(s) of fried gold.
Seafog are a three piece from Port Chalmers, Dunedin. Their first gig was performed at Circadian Rythm mid 2006 with Robbie Yeats drumming, Nigel Waters on lead guitar and Rob Sharma on vocals and guitar.
Seafog play country crafted rock with intense lyrics and tribal jazz beats. Rob and Nige jam and write on Sundays in Sunny Port at each others place and Robbie joins them for gigs.