The Blue Eyed Shark, BES to his friends, is a quirky indie singer songwriter from the same song writing school as say, Badly Drawn Boy.

The Fluffer is an album dominated by BES who provides vocals, keys (and occasional guitars). An album whose credits include specific thanks to the ‘tossers’ who’ve caused him grief over the years.

And the man has had more than his fair share. Adopted at 6, the early loss of his father at 8, troubled teens, broken hearts and, thankfully beaten, cancer in his early 20’s. To name but a few.

From the opening title track featuring Sean Lennon’s Chihuahua and the crooning of Resident Evil actress Milla Jovovich you know you’re in for an eclectic and quirky ride. And in that sense, The Fluffer, so titled because BES would like it to tickle your fancy, doesn’t disappoint taking the listener on an epic journey packed with delicate piano work, electronica passages and BES’s rich, almost Lou Reed style drawl.

Eccentric and reflective, yet with the vibrancy of Mika and Mercury, BES can happily give the ‘tossers’ a contented two finger salute safe in the knowledge that The Fluffer is a job well done.

***

Review by Pete Whalley