Sha-Boom – ‘Another Nail In The Coffin’

(Silver Lining Music)

There are some albums that demand serious attention. There are albums that require you to sit down, headphones on, booklet in hand, and really concentrate on every intricate detail. And then there are albums like Another Nail In The Coffin by Sha-Boom, albums that simply make you want to turn the volume up, grab a drink, throw your arms in the air and have a bloody good time!

This is feel-good Melodic Rock in its purest form. Music designed to put a smile on your face, get your feet moving and, before you know it, have the entire room singing along. If you’re looking for something dark, miserable and introspective, then you’ve probably come to the wrong place. But if you want a record to bung on at a party and get everyone buzzing, Sha-Boom have delivered exactly what the doctor ordered.

Sha-Boom have always had a knack for smooth melodies and irresistibly catchy choruses, and Another Nail In The Coffin sees them dishing those qualities out by the bucket load. There’s an effortless quality to the songwriting here that makes everything sound instantly accessible without ever becoming bland. These are songs built around hooks, melody and atmosphere, with enough rock attitude to keep things energetic while retaining that wonderfully polished melodic sheen.

And that is perhaps the secret of Sha-Boom’s appeal. They understand that Melodic Rock doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Sometimes you just need a great melody, a chorus that lodges itself in your head after one listen, some big guitars and a band that sounds like it’s having as much fun playing the music as you are listening to it. Another Nail In The Coffin absolutely understands that philosophy.

From the opening moments, there’s an infectious sense of momentum running through the album. The production is clean and punchy, allowing the guitars to provide plenty of rock muscle while the melodies remain front and centre. Everything feels bright, polished and deliberately crafted to make you feel good. It’s the sort of album that seems almost incapable of sitting quietly in the background. Even when you’re doing something else, those melodies have a habit of grabbing your attention and pulling you back in.

Dag Finn’s vocals are another major strength. There’s a warmth and character to the delivery that perfectly complements the material, avoiding the overly aggressive approach that can sometimes creep into harder-edged melodic rock. Instead, the performances feel inviting and celebratory. These are vocals that encourage you to join in rather than simply stand back and listen. And believe me, you’ll want to join in.

The choruses throughout Another Nail In The Coffin are absolutely tailor-made for the live environment. You can practically imagine a packed venue, beer glasses raised, fists in the air and hundreds of voices joining together. That communal quality is something Sha-Boom have always done particularly well, and it is one of the reasons this album works so effectively.

There’s also a lovely sense of nostalgia running through the record. Sha-Boom tap into that classic melodic rock tradition where big hooks and polished production go hand in hand with a slightly carefree, almost celebratory attitude. It has that wonderful Eighties and early-Nineties spirit without feeling like a cheap exercise in nostalgia. Instead, the band take those familiar ingredients and make them sound fresh and relevant.

Most importantly, Another Nail In The Coffin never takes itself too seriously. There’s a genuine sense of fun here. In a world where so much music seems determined to be miserable, gloomy or painfully earnest, an album that simply wants you to have a good time is bloody refreshing. And sometimes that is exactly what you need.

Put this on after a long week and there’s a very good chance you’ll feel better within minutes. Put it on at a party and I’d be surprised if people weren’t singing along before long. Put it on in the car and you’ll probably find yourself turning the volume up far beyond what is sensible. This is music that wants to be enjoyed loudly and without reservation.

What I particularly love is the consistency. There’s no sense that Sha-Boom are desperately trying to prove how clever they are. Instead, they concentrate on what they know they do exceptionally well: smooth melodic songwriting, infectious hooks, crunchy guitars, polished vocals and massive sing-along moments. They understand their audience and, more importantly, they understand what makes this style of music so enjoyable.

Another Nail In The Coffin is therefore exactly the kind of album Melodic Rock fans should be embracing. It’s uplifting without being sugary, polished without being sterile, and catchy without becoming disposable. It has plenty of rock attitude, but the overriding feeling is one of positivity.

Sometimes music should make you think. Sometimes it should make you cry. And sometimes, quite simply, it should make you smile like an idiot while shouting along at the top of your voice. Another Nail In The Coffin is very much the latter.

Sha-Boom have delivered an album bursting with melody, energy and good-time rock ’n’ roll spirit. It’s the musical equivalent of throwing open the doors, turning the stereo up to eleven and announcing that the party has officially started. And frankly, I’m more than happy to accept the invitation.

A cracking way to kick things off, ‘Never Stop’ immediately establishes the album’s feel-good credentials. Smooth melodies, energetic guitars and a chorus that practically begs to be shouted back at the speakers. There’s an irresistible sense of optimism running through it, with Sha-Boom sounding completely at home in their melodic rock surroundings. An instant mood-lifter.

‘Another Nail In The Coffin’, the title track brings another dose of polished melodic rock goodness. Catchy, confident and packed with hooks, this is Sha-Boom doing what they do best. The chorus is pure sing-along territory, while the guitars provide enough bite to stop proceedings becoming overly sweet. It’s impossible not to get swept along with it.

‘Walk (Far Away)’, there’s a slightly more reflective feel here, but the band never lose that melodic sparkle. Finn’s vocal delivery works beautifully with the smooth arrangement, while the chorus opens everything up into another memorable moment. It’s melodic rock with heart, but still carries enough energy to keep the momentum rolling.

‘The Sun, The Moon, The Stars’, this is where the feel-good factor really shines. Big melodies, warm vocals and an uplifting atmosphere make this a wonderfully easy listen. There’s something almost cinematic about the way the arrangement builds, but it never becomes overblown. Another superb example of Sha-Boom’s ability to make melody sound effortless.

Well, the title says it all! This is a full-on invitation to get the party started. Energetic, infectious and bursting with attitude, ‘Let’s Go (88)’ has that carefree rock ’n’ roll spirit that makes you want to turn the volume up immediately. I can imagine this going down an absolute storm in a live setting.

‘Out Of Control’, a little more swagger enters the equation here, with Sha-Boom adding some extra rock muscle to their trademark melodies. The guitars have plenty of punch, while the chorus remains firmly lodged in your head. It’s energetic without becoming aggressive, keeping that all-important sense of fun intact.

‘Farewell, Goodbye’, a more emotional number, but thankfully Sha-Boom resist the temptation to become overly sentimental. There’s genuine warmth here, with the melody carrying a bittersweet quality that gives the album some welcome contrast. A beautifully delivered piece of melodic rock that proves this band can tug at the heartstrings as well as get the party jumping.

Time to get the swagger back! ‘Back On The Streets’ has that classic rock n roll feeling of freedom and adventure running right through it. The guitars sound fantastic, the rhythm section keeps things moving and the chorus is another winner. This is driving music at its absolute best.

‘A Million Miles Away’, a gorgeous melodic number with a strong emotional centre. The songwriting is wonderfully accessible, and the vocal performance gives the track plenty of warmth. It’s the sort of song that can have you singing along before you’ve even realised you know the words. Another beautifully crafted moment.

‘One More Drink For The Road’, now this is where the party really needs to be turned up! Fun, cheeky and gloriously upbeat, this one sounds like it was written specifically for the end of a great night out. It has that infectious bar-room camaraderie that makes melodic rock so much fun. Grab another drink and sing along!

A suitably energetic finale, ‘Emergency’ brings the album home with plenty of punch and melody. It feels like a final burst of adrenaline before the lights come up. Once again, Sha-Boom deliver the hooks, the guitars and the chorus, leaving you with a big stupid grin on your face and the urge to press play again.

Another Nail In The Coffin is Sha-Boom doing what they do best, delivering bucketloads of smooth melodies, huge sing-along choruses and feel-good rock n roll that puts a smile on your face. This is an album with absolutely no interest in misery or musical navel-gazing; it wants you to turn the volume up, grab a drink and enjoy yourself. The songwriting is infectious, the performances are full of energy and the whole thing has that irresistible party atmosphere running through it. If you’re a fan of melodic rock with big hooks and an uplifting spirit, this is an easy album to recommend. Press play, turn it up and let Sha-Boom take care of the party, because when the chorus hits, resistance is absolutely futile!

9/10

Essential Track – ‘Walk (Far Away)’

Review by Woody