A Sonic Exploration of Friendship and Evolution A high-energy punk offering with incisive lyrics, dynamic performances, and skillful production.
‘Food For Worms,’ Shame’s third record, starts steadily before plunging into keen commentary: “You’re complaining a lot / About the things that you got given.” ‘Fingers Of Steel’ sets the tone for the London band’s album, showcasing frenetic percussion and vocalist Charlie Steen’s fierce condemnation of self-inflicted discontent. The album was crafted and designed to be experienced live, focusing on performance rather than deconstruction.
Following 2021’s ‘Drunk Tank Pink,’ Shame encountered a creative block while trying to replicate the intricate and complex writing that earned their second album great reviews. By refocusing on creating concert-worthy tracks, the band unlocked ten energetic punk songs reminiscent of their 2018 debut, ‘Songs Of Praise.’
‘Six-Pack,’ the second track, blends wobbling guitar sounds, rapid drumming, and Steen’s deadpan spoken-word delivery to tell the tale of “a room where all your wildest desires can come true.” The song exposes the trap of materialism as Steen sings, “You got nothing and no one to live for / but you’ve got this room / And guess what? / This room has got you.”
‘Adderall,’ the album’s standout, features a powerful chorus and melodic vocals that evoke Lou Reed’s ‘Heroin.’ Phoebe Bridgers lends her voice, albeit inaudibly, adding a touch of West Coast melancholy. As the song unfolds, it oscillates between a stroll and jarring exclamations like “it gets you through the day” and “your parents really miss you.”
Even in the album’s more subdued moments, like ‘Burning By Design,’ there’s an undeniable grittiness. Arrangements shift from introspective accusations to confrontations, culminating in a torrent of melodic lyrics, clashing guitars, and precise and unrestrained drumming.
‘Different Person’ addresses the unease of witnessing a friend’s troubling transformation, concluding, “You’re still the same to me even though you speak with a different accent now for fun.” The track showcases producer Flood’s skillful blend of clean and messy, chaotic yet concise production. Steen told NME that ‘Food For Worms’ isn’t about love or heartbreak but rather friendship, and it successfully conveys the excitement, mystery, and whirlwind emotions accompanying such relationships.
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Shame’s third album is a testament to life, reflecting the strange, multifaceted, loud, and sometimes exhilarating human experience without pretense or an overreliance on polish. In a world where many musicians seek streams or TikTok success, ‘Food For Worms’ offers a refreshing alternative for those craving live, stirring music that captures a band’s evolution of sound.
British rockers’ third album diverges from typical post-punk, emphasizing melody, disheveled piano, and reflections on friendship.
‘Food for Worms’ marks Shame’s finest album yet, with ‘Adderall’ as its emotional pinnacle—a heart-wrenching track about witnessing a friend’s descent into prescription drug addiction. The band’s newfound empathy and catharsis shine through as lead singer Charlie Steen passionately pleads for understanding.
Compared to their previous works, ‘Food for Worms’ showcases a more heartfelt approach, setting them apart from their post-punk contemporaries.