Fake Shark Real Zombie

Vancouver, BC freak-pop aficionados Fake Shark Real Zombie have strayed far from their post-hardcore roots on their latest album. Liar is an amalgamation of heavy electronic and hip-hop elements, including an array of videogame sound samples, with an impressive roster of guest appearances. "Girls" features Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat) and carries a rhythmic melody with even slower trip-hop rhymes that suspiciously mimic the style of the Gorillaz. "Gimme Those Teeth," the closest the band come to channelling their past, features Care Failure (Die Mannequin) singing the chorus. Perhaps to stroke their egos, Liar features a sound sample interlude from Henry Rollins mentioning the band on his radio show, Harmony In My Head. Rollins proclaimed FSRZ his favourite up-and-coming band some time ago. FSRZ further delve into hip-hop absurdity on "Afterskool Special," a track that unabashedly parallels Will Smith's early hip-hop career (circa "Parents Just Don't Understand"). The difference, however, is the in-your-face lyrics ("have fun in chess club, you fucking loser"). Liar is the wild, disjointed and amateur expression of a band off the creative deep end.