Shark Island – Law of The Order (1989)
One of the hottest bands on the L.A. circuit in the mid to late 80’s was Shark Island. Rumor has it that they were so good, some singer named Axl Rose used to tape singer Richard Black’s performances to he could copy his moves. Read more about that here.
Shark Island’s debut CD Law of the Order was originally released in 1989, and was the band’s only release until 2006’s Gathering of the Faithful.
Law Of The Order is a CD that is hard to categorize. This isn’t your typical hair metal. It isn’t flamboyant enough to be glam (but they sure tried to market the band that way). It isn’t gritty enough to be considered sleaze metal. This is more of a straight forward hard rock cd, and a very good one at that.
Richard Black proves to be an excellent singer. Sadly, most people know him more for his brief time spent in the supergroup, Contraband.
Law Of The Order is one of those CD’s that you truly need to hear to appreciate. There are several really good songs on this disc including Paris Calling, Somebody’s Falling, Get Some Strange, Passion to Ashes, and an excellent jamming cover of the Fleetwood Mac tune, The Chain. (I actually prefer the Shark Island version, to the original.)
Paris Calling
My copy of this CD is the re-released version from 2004 that has a few bonus tracks that were only available on movie soundtracks at one time. Both Dangerous and Father Time, came from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure Soundtrack. My City came from the Point Break Soundtrack. All 3 songs are an excellent addition to a great CD.
Not only did my copy include the bonus songs, but it also has the Bastille Day, Alive The Whiskey CD included with it. This is the CD that the band wanted to release as the major label debut. The record company didn’t like that idea, and it didn’t get released until now. This captures the band performing live at the Whiskey in Hollywood, back on July 14th, 1989. The songs do sound a lot better than their studio versions. It is a very tight set, and definitely a collection of live tunes worth owning.
This CD is out of print and is starting pull down bigger dollars on EBay. I was able to secure a copy through Impulse Music recently. If you can still order it, I would get this one before it is gone. It is well worth your hard earned dollars.
You can check out Shark Island on their myspace page here.
Rating:Out of 10
Track Listing:
CD1
Law Of The Order
1. Paris Calling
2. Shake for Me
3. Somebody’s Falling
4. Bad for Each Other
5. Passion to Ashes
6. Spellbound
7. Get Some Strange
8. Why Should I Believe
9. Ready or Not
10. The Chain
11. My City*
12. Dangerous *
13. Father Time*
CD2
Alive At the Whisky
1. Paris Calling
2. Ready or Not
3. Shake For Me
4. Get Some Strange
5. Passion To Ashes
6. Make A Move
7. Spellbound*
8. Sanctuary*
*Bonus Tracks
Shark Island is:
Richard Black – Vocals
Spencer Sercome – Guitars
Chris Heilmann – Bass
Greg Ellis – Drums
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Shark Island forever!!!
Marvelous band!
Forever in my heart!
Hail from Brazil
Shark Island released an album before Law of the Order! It was called “S’cool Bus” and it contained 9 tracks – Deja vu, Sex drive, Excess marks the spot, Here comes trouble, Puss ‘n boots, Read my lips, Automatic girls, New york New york, Palace of pleasure.
i lost my law of the order album long ago and am eager to hear it again it is a true class album
I have heard the legendary Law of the Order CD in the pastand recently was given the new Shark Island CD Gathering of the Faithful. Both CD’s are equally as good. I was told that they are recording a new album, would love to see them live.
I have this on vinyl and it’s good. I wasn’t as big on the reunion album from last year though.