Another round of Ska-Core, but more mature, and more Core
Written: Jul 10 '02 (Updated Jul 15 '02)
Product Rating:
Pros: better songwriting, production, rougher vocals, live shows, love for the kids.
Cons: A little less ska, and save for "1 2 3 4#" few clever rhymes.
The Bottom Line: Not quite as catchy as "fine print," but much better songwriting. Great if you like ska with a little hardcore, or if you like hardcore with a little ska.
This is probably the album I’ve waited most eagerly for its release. The Spitvalves have become friends of mine, and I already knew half the songs on this CD before it was even recorded, simply from live shows. After months of delays, a long stretch of not seeing my friends, finally being able to set up an awesome show for them in my hometown, and a pretty cool release party at the House of Blues, I finally got their new album. Its official in store release was yesterday, but I’ve had it for a week or two, getting used to it before I review it.
A couple of months ago, I stumbled across some really old Spitvalves mp3s (we’ll miss you, AudioGalaxy). I knew their old stuff was a lot happier and goofy, but I had no idea it sucked so badly! The growth from their 2000 album, “fine print at the bottom,” to the new one is not nearly so extreme, but you can see further maturing, and an even more hardcore edge. The only complaint I had about the previous album was that it was very style over content, which made for great live shows, but most of the songs lacked real meaning.
This album is also very stylish, due in large part, I think, to producer Sal Villanueva. You may know him from his work on fast rising emo-core stars Thursday and Taking Back Sunday. He lent his touch in the studio excellently, making for a nice thick sounding album. A larger percentage of the songs are harder this time around, which I like. Also nice touches are the guest vocals by the singers of Big Wig, Stick Figure Suicide, and the Nature Kids. Except for the rapping by Therealone, the guest vocals are never over powering, and simply add little bit of variety to the back up vocals. And of course, Mikey Ricky and Tito all add their back up vocals too. I would have liked some guest vocals by KITH’s singer, but oh well.
So you may be asking what do the Spitvalves sound like, anyway? The easiest way to describe them is a cross between Link 80, old Bosstones, H2O, and a little bit of old school rapping, a la Run-DMC or the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. This album has less rapping, rougher vocals, and more interesting guitar work and their last one. The horns aren’t quite so much in the foreground, but are still an integral part of the package. Like the last album, Mikey, the guitarist, has a lot of great screamed back up vocals (somewhat like Thursday, but not so prominent) but he is not the sole back up screamer on this one. But the best part of the new album is more mature song writing. Almost every song on here has some sort of message now, like a true hardcore band. They don’t beat you over the head with it, but the overall vibe definitely carries it.
Here are some of the best songs:
“Second Home”- A catchy number with nice guitar and horn work, about touring. Similar in theme to the album’s title track (which they’ve been playing live for a while).
“Both Shoes Untied”- This has been a live favorite for about a year and a half now. I think I was there like the second time they ever played it, and the riff got stuck in my head so bad. I also have a rare live mp3 of it, and both versions are awesome. It has a real shout along chorus, great screamed backup vocals, a tight break down, and a message of tying to decide on the best path.
“The End”- Another song I’ve seen them playing live for a long time, and also have an mp3 of it, from the same show as “Both Shoes.” I was recovering from minor surgery the night they recorded that, so I sat in the back of the club by the bar. Alas, no guest vocals from me on the live version. Both songs come off harder live, and this one also comes off shorter. The lyrics are about bands who forget their roots when they get big. And of course, they don’t try to hide the fact that it is about Less Than Jake.
“1, 2, 3, 4, #”- This one has a laid back old school rap feel to it. It was sort of a surprise, since this album has less of the hip hop influence in general, and then this song has it so heavily. Therealone returns the guest appearance Charlie made on the Nature Kids’ last album, and it fits right in. I especially like the Bob Dylan reference.
“Sacrifice Your Probation”- This is the hardest song on the album, and also one of the shortest. You see they could easily have been a hardcore band. The lyrics are forceful, but open to interpretation. The only thing clear is that they deal with a betrayal. Of course they’ll readily tell you this song is about their old bassist, who had to be kicked out due to substance abuse interfering with is ability to play shows.
“Drinking Song #1”- Straight from and anti-drug song to a pro-drinking song! Another one they’ve been trying out live for quite some time. Ricky, the trumpet player, has a few great shouts of “Two, three, go!” And for such a little guy, he his shout is kind of unexpectedly throaty. This song also has some of the best horn work on the album.
“Love The Kids”- Yet again, and old live favorite. A lot like “Mr. Man” off the last album, this one has an us vs. them theme, and about dedication to the scene, a current which runs through the entire album. There are few better songs to shout along with live, and now that is finally recorded they, added a wicked sax solo, and a bit of guest vocals.
This album is great for ether ska fans who like a bit of hardcore, or hardcore fans who like a bit of ska. Go get it today, write them a letter, and I bet they’ll make an extra effort to come play near you. And definitely go see them, the live show is amazing, Ricky dances, Jeremy and Mikey jump and swing their guitars, and Charlie is all over the crowd. They’ve certainly had plenty of practice on their live show, after an extensive tour of Europe with the Business, right around September 11, and frequent trips to Boston and New Jersey where they have strong fan bases. But it’s good to have these boys at home. Though they play huge venues like the House of Blues and Hard Rock Live on a regular basis, I’ve set up four shows for them at tiny venues in my tiny town, and they love to do it. Always with a smile and hug when they see me at any venue, they’re genuinely one of the nicest bands I know, and truly dedicated to their fans.
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