SEAN ROWE – THE SALESMAN AND THE SHARK

Anti-Records boast the motto “real artists creating records on their own terms” and everything about Sean Rowe’s second album from their label is on his own terms. The Salesman and the Shark features humble storytelling with powerful lyrics and Rowe’s trademark darkly, melancholy baritone. The opening vocal on first track Bring Back The Night vibrates straight to the very core of the listener, it’s a chilled, simple opener that sets the tone and gives Rowe’s soulful voice a chance to shine. Thankfully before the vibe can descend to woeful and repetitive, Joe’s Cult increases the tempo and makes comment about questioning “the man”, all songs are written by Rowe and bear his observational style. Rowe has often commented that his musical journey is shaped by a love of and interest in all things nature, and that sense of being stripped back but still full of life is evident all over The Salesman and the Shark. It’s an alternative-folk album that somehow marries simplicity and variety with a thumping, imperfect vocal that fits perfectly.

*** 1/2