The Spits – Volume V
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The Spits are technically five albums into their career, but the odds are they’ve written more than that, with limited edition pressings and such. If you’ve followed the group, then you’re accustomed to their sound; it’s pop punk if you washed it with fresh sewer water. Yeah, I said it, and I’m going to say I love it.
“All I Want” blasts out from the beginning, bringing you a bit of dark edged punk, though the lyrics lean towards a bit of a love song. It’s the great dichotomy of The Spits brand of rock n’ roll. They’ll take you on an even more furious ride with the next track, “My Mess,” which definitely has a sloppier feeling to the vocals. Don’t get stuck on this one too long, as it’s pretty much over almost as quickly as it started, closing out with steady machine gun drumming and odd bits of telephone noise.
Perhaps one of the things that seems to differ on Volume V is the steady inclusion of this slacker, or subdued vocal. It’s as if singer, Sean Spits is relaxing while the rest of the group blasts through each track. Lead single from the album, “My Life Sucks” see the band pushing forcefully towards the end, while Sean seems to lackadaisically lay his stories atop the tune. It’s not so much the lyrical content that does well to break up the monotony of typical punk fare, but the overall delivery, pushing a different spin on punk rock.
For me, it’s tracks like “Fed Up” and “Acid Rain” that grab at my punk heartstrings. They’ve got a much more traditional feel, not that I necessarily need that, but that’s definitely where nostalgia and appreciation for modern punk meet. I even feel as if I hear a bit of The Riverdales in “Fed Up,” but perhaps that’s just wishful thinking on my part. It’s everything a good old punker needs: simple and fast–the perfect recipe.
Interestingly, The Spits never seem like they’re willing to settle in one place, which is perhaps why they’ve attracted me so much over the last several years. Closing number “Last Man on Earth” has this Ian Drury approach to the songwriting, all placed over what seems to be a synthesized drum beat. This isn’t the sort of thing you’d expect from a band such as this, but its successful because it never grows stale, always giving you something to look forward to, or at least talk to your friends about in the end.
Regardless of whether the group is up your alley or night, you’ve got to appreciate the fact that they’re not settling for your run of the mill punk rock. They’re pushing the boundaries, even within their own group, making Volume V as in enjoyable, if not more so, than all their previous records. You’ve gotta love the Spits, and if you don’t, you’re missing out.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/07-My-Life-Sucks.mp3]Download: The Spits – My Life Sucks [MP3]
Gonna assume you’re coming to the band late or haven’t perchance seen ’em live ’cause those are the only two excuses you could have for not knowing that Erin the bass player also does some lead singing. He’d be your artier one of the two Wood brothers. Otherwise, snappy review, plebe.
I”ll admit. Haven’t seen em’ live, though I’ve tried. Otherwise, I have to go with the wee bit of liner notes you can find, and video footage.
i’ve been to three of their shows and don’t know their fukkin names or who is someone’s brother or if anybody else sings other than the guy who seems kind of insane. they seem pretty grumpy, but they keep putting on those costumes. i agree you should listen to them if you want to hear some rock. i thought all i want sounded really gay on spotify but it was great live. if you like them on tape definitely go to any lengths to see them live it is indeed truly worth it. look up their schedule and take a bus there if you have to i kid you not.