Although Shannon and the Clams have been around now for something like nine years, they still haven’t really made massive inroads, especially when it comes to this country. Perhaps it has something to do with their sound, which is certainly eclectic, or that being American, and based in Oakland, California, they have incorporated at times a surf type sound. In some ways a band that produces pastiche this hasn’t done them that bad, as this is something like their fifth album to date. Their appeal has mainly lain in the way that they do at times sound slightly chaotic, but here they have gone for a tighter sound as they try to propel themselves to new heights. Producing something that has basic elements of the Fifties and Sixties, they also seem to be able to create at times an Eighties feel to the sound, making this certainly interesting to listen to. In many ways similar to their last couple of albums, the title for this, Onion becomes apparent as you start listening to this. The only difference here is that tighter and at times more cohesive sound, but at the end of the day this is a band that is best seen live, than listening to at home. There is just an energy and focus, plus a fun atmosphere when they are on stage, that doesn’t really come over on this. Whether this will garner them more fans on either side of the Atlantic, only time will tell. In all though this is still fun and quirky.