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Rating:
The musical year 2005 was the year of rock bands from across the Channel or thereabouts, the year of next big things more acclaimed than ever by the London press. In hindsight, I can now say that only a few bands managed to win me over, and none of them were English, but rather American like "Spoon" and "the The Spinto Band" which I am now going to review. These seven Americans went practically unnoticed in the indie scene, overshadowed by the likes of Arctic Monkeys or Maximo Park and countless groups of varying talent. The reason, beyond the fact that they are not English, must perhaps be sought in their musical offering. Completely counter to the post-punk/new wave that characterizes a bit all the new rock bands. "The Spinto Band" offers an old-fashioned rock if you will, an atmospheric rock focusing on the singer's delicate voice, soft guitars, mandolins, and keyboards à la Hot Hot Heat. Their music is pure poetry, it is a sunny pop that takes some cues from bands like The Shins, for example, but with a way of doing things all their own, they are radiant, fresh, and, although young, fearless. The album consists of many gems, especially "Oh Mandy" which, be careful, is not a cover of Barry Manilow, but rather a great piece where the singer's whispers are accompanied by a mandolin, which starts off in U2 style and then carries on in perfect melody creating a relaxing yet at the same time fun song that ends up getting stuck in your head. The album maintains good levels up to track 6, and then with "Crack The Whip" a pop with New Wave hints à la Franz Ferdinand, it definitely climbs in tone and really makes you fall in love with this album. Song number seven is perfect for a Tom & Jerry cartoon complete with a gentle breeze in the background, and dark sounds that somehow evoke a Christmas atmosphere. Then we have "Late", a good rock with drums accompanying a wild piano, truly "supersonic". Track nine is an enveloping rock ballad with an absolutely catchy chorus thanks to the always very prominent piano. Number ten turns out to be the one with the highest rock rate, guitar and bass are for the first and only time the real stars, but the sound still remains very "sweet" thanks to the singer's shy voice. In the last track hides another great song, brit pop played wonderfully, engaging, Pavement style, one of those songs you never forget and gladly listen to a dozen times over. They are a mix of Pavement, Grandaddy, Shins but with their originality in the lyrics and in some very particular arrangements, which I honestly don't recall having heard. In the liveliest year of indie rock, among Bloc Party and Maximo Park, this was just what was needed... too bad it went practically unnoticed!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Oh Mandy (03:35)
I got a gnome in the backyard
I put him right on the X mark
he's supposed to show me where the money is
hey wont you show me where the money is
I got it all on the back of my hand
I want your answer so I won't forget
then show me right where your heart is
oh right now tell me where your heart is
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
So Dreamy, Oh Mandy
So Killing, Oh Mandy
Sure I had trouble from the onset
I tried to chase things I couldn't get
Show me a rerun on the W
Show me a rerun on the WB
So What's it like to be in it
and move away to the Midwest
I gotta message for your auntie
I gotta message for your auntie
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
So Dreamy, Oh Mandy
So Killing, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Can read me, and has me
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy's
Completely out of reach
And now I know I'm at the end of my wits
don't gotta tell me where this is going
cus I know nothing ever falls apart
yeah I know nothing ever falls apart
remind me once more where this is going
before I fling it out into the ocean
it's kind of level but its wavy
Its looking more blue than it is green
it's looking quiet as I jump in
so I can finally hear you scream
You got a gnome in the backyard
you put him right on the X mark
you''re eating brains out the back of my head
oh yeah, that's where the money is
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
So Dreamy, Oh Mandy
So Killing, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Can read me, and has me
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy's
Completely out of reach
07 Direct to Helmet (03:09)
Directly to my helmet
Directly to my heart
Directly to my hairline
Where do I start?
It's not like art is just value
Just try not to argue
Your work looks good
Your look works great
How can I state
The point of view you create
It's not too late to resolve it
And if I can't solve it
I'll look at the object
And that's what I'll call it
How can I respect the opinions of none?
Directly enhancing the sum.
Directly to my helmet
Indirectly to my soul
If I said I loved it
Oh cheeseball??
I'm not that tall so the impact
Was more than deserving
The plastic champagne was the least of unnerving
How can I respect the opionions of none?
Directly enhancing the sum.
Above all, worksongs??
I'll tell you it never gets old.
I'll tell you it never gets old
09 So Kind, Stacy (02:40)
All disputes aside
Refutes still decide
I have yet to try it
Taking it in stride
(All so nervously while trying to stress)
Acts I've earned with lies
(We'd never bleed to impress)
When you see right through me
You never refute me
Stacey (x3)
Points for sparing me
(the embarrassment of drunken conduct)
Oh to a degree
(I've an alibi that I can construct)
I have never given
up-root-up-shoot-driven-up-the-wrong-tree
minute-pursuit-given-it's-the-wrong-week
how-could-you-be-altering-the-marquee
when-we-agreed-no-more-disorderly
Actions on this worthy faction's fraternity
Stacey (x4)
(So kind so kind so kind...)
into-it's true-given-it's-the-wrong-week
i-knew-you'd-grew-driven-up-the-right-tree
this-spring's-new-thing's-waking-up-with-nose-bleeds
our-flings-box-springs-never-meant-to-mislead
When you see right through me
You never refute me
(So kind so kind so kind...)
Stacey
Stacey
Stay with me
Stacey
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