Review of Shameless (2001)

by Shelby Rushing for music-reviewer (November 2001)

Why are there rabbits on the cover of this album? What are they doing? Why does Therapy? have a question mark at the end of its name? Throughout its 10-plus years as a band, Therapy? has managed to linger just outside the edge of the mainstream, to be just a little less than normal. With their roots in the hinterlands of Ireland, Therapy’s? unique brand of chameleon rock has steadily pulled fans in a handful at a time throughout the 1990’s. Shameless is the group’s second album to be released on ARK 21, which the group signed to after they were dropped from A&M, which released most of the groups records in the 90’s.

Therapy? provides a model from which most rock bands would profit by following. If they did, however, be assured that the originators would turn their backs, laugh, and evolve.

Therapy?’s alcohol fueled biker rock is ever evolving, and these four chaps from Ireland never seem to choose the easy way. They change to avoid being mainstream. When grunge hit big, Therapy? released a post-punk album. When Green Day and other bubble gum punk bands were plastered all over MTV and the bedrooms of teenage girls, Therapy? turned Goth and released an album laced with cellos. And now in the 21st century when bands like Staind and Limp Bizkit rule the charts, Therapy? moves further left of center, ignoring the musical trendiness of rap/metal to create something that’s more sarcastic and artistic than angst-ridden. On Dance, vocalist Andrew James Cairns sings “Yeah, yeah, welcome to Fuckland” with no small bit of irony.

For Shameless, Therapy? chose to work with legendary producer Jack Endino, whose impressive resume includes work with Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney et al. The album screams inspiration all over. These guys in no way create their music by default. These songs required talent and thought to write. The guitar harmonies on Dance will no doubt remind listeners of biker rock legends Blue Oyster Cult. It would be difficult for Therapy? to deny the biker influence; Joey even starts off with a motorcycle revving up and they announcer’s cry of “Gentlemen, start you axes.” The change to an indie label allows the band is able to branch out creatively, and Shameless has elements that remind listeners of just-plain-weird rockers like Mr. Bungle or Primus.

The main riff of Theme From Delorean is the album’s catchiest. Hopkins likes to create interesting beats that don’t stick to the typical snare and bass rudiments. The middle section sounds like a theme song of a secret agent show. This One’s For You has some of the albums’ greatest lyrics, especially the line “Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends.” Endless Psychology is an achievement in itself, with its strategically-placed handclaps and the dreamy midsection with its backup vocals that resonate like a doo-wop outfit. Martin McCarrick’s cello counterbalances the driving rock of the guitars, and drummer Graham Hopkins often augments his offbeat rhythms with tambourines and other extraneous percussion.

Therapy? provides a model from which most rock bands would profit by following. If they did, however, be assured that the originators would turn their backs, laugh, and evolve. Therapy? is the kind of band that always leaves you wondering, “What are they gonna do next?”

Rating: 4.5/5.

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