We Versus the Shark

A spazz pop quartet from Athens, GA, We Versus the Shark are one of the rare bands to successfully translate the mathematical post-hardcore of the late ’90s (think McLusky, Faraquet and early Blood Brothers) into something viable for the late ’00s. Dirty Versions, their second full-length, continues the trend with huge guitar riffs, group vocals and general mayhem while maintaining cohesive song structures. "Hello Blood” makes some huge promises, with its start-stop changes and heavy melodies, but the rest of the record easily keeps up. As always, We Versus The Shark deliver technical post-punk suited to both the basement shows of ’98 and the MP3 blogs of ’08.