Tag: The Spruce Campbells

Jason of the Spruce Campbells told me this is their “pop” EP.  While it is certainly more poppy than their previous two EP’s, it can’t really be called poppy compared to the conventional wisdom’s idea of pop music sound. Just like their previous two EP’s, this one is full of gorgeous music that sounds both strikingly familiar yet substantially different than anything you’ve heard before. They are playing at Skully’s tomorrow night, which is the official release of this EP. I recommend you go and buy it along with their previous two EP’s – you will love them.

Star Girl -Very catchy. Probably the catchiest song on the record.  Lyrically, it isn’t particularly poignant, but I doubt that it’s meant to be. Jason’s vocals are reminiscent of Crash Test Dummies, while Chelsea’s have that sexy, smokey sound; they compliment each other perfectly. There is only one hiccup in the song – after the third verse, “gonna getcha, getcha, getcha, HEY!” doesn’t seem to really fit; at least to my ears. It by no means ruins the song, I just don’t care for that line.

Hell O’s – I love the opening guitar, and the drumming is definitely poppy (and good). The conversational style of the singing should be trademarked by The Spruce Campbells – I really like how Chelsea and Jason go back and forth with the lyrics. Jason asked me which song I think should be the single, and I pick this one. It just seems so accessible and (ignoring the lyrics only because they are kind of depressing) is simply a fun tune to listen to. Which actually gives the song layers of depth you don’t hear much anymore – a fun, happy sounding song with sad, buzzkill lyrics. Nicely done, and well played sirs and madam.

With You – This song has a distinct 50’s pop sound. Like it could be played during the school dance in Back to the Future. I wonder what it would sound like with 3 female back-up singers. They could be named “The Sharlene’s,” and stand 6 feet behind Chelsea and wave their hands in front of them while they sing. Listening to this makes you want to go necking with your steady in the front seat of a Dodge at the dead end of Lover’s Lane.

A Farewell – The counterpart to With You, A Farewell sounds more like the general sound of the first EP than the other songs on this disc. This is a death song; two lovers saying their final goodbyes. It is sadly sweet, and probably the deepest, lyrically, of the songs on the record. This is also my favorite song out of the four (followed closely by With You). Jason sings lead, with Chelsea backing in a beautifully soft undertone.

The Spruce Campbells around the internet:
Bandcamp – listen to the album for free
Myspace
Facebook

Mosques, Museums, and Mausoleums is the first of five or six, 4 song EP‘s. Each EP has its own title, but all are (or rather, will be) collectively called, The Bipolar Coordinates EP’s.

Each EP is to have 2 pairs of songs (for you quick ones out there, that’s a total of 4 songs), with the songs in each pair to have similar themes or styles that bring them together.

I think I’ve listened to these 4 songs more times than the last 4 albums I’ve received or bought combined.  It kind of makes me scared as to what kind of earth-shaking, sheet-clenching, toe-curling orgasm I’m going to have when I listen to the next 4 discs.

actual review after you scroll down and look at the album art…

Black Sunshine is a gorgeous tune that is reminiscent of The Pixies with the soft female lead and a kind of obnoxious male chorus.  I don’t mean that the chorus is bad in any way, I’m just saying Frank Black had an obnoxious voice and this is comparable. Musically however, it is far more complicated than a Pixies tune.  When I heard this song live, it struck me as being more similar to the Dandy Warhol’s, but I get none of that here on the album.  Great song on the album, amazing song to hear live.

More O’s just made me cream my jeans for the umpteenth time.  Everything about this song makes me happy.  There is clapping, and clapping is good.  The transitions from simple and soft to bombastic and crazy is amazing.  The keyboards, guitars, drums, vocals, violin; everything in this makes me want to have sex with the song.  If only that were possible.

So Tired is a Fugazi cover.  Putting a cover song on an album can be hit or miss with some bands; it’s a tribute to a song or band you really like, but if you don’t make it your own, what’s the point?  The best covers tend to sound very different than the originals.  Spruce Campbells manage to make this song their own without drastically changing anything.  It’s a beautiful song, centered around Chelsea Moore’s vocals and keyboard accompaniment (sorry, I’m not sure who was playing the keys).

Far Away is a song that causes complicated emotions in the listener.  It starts with just piano and vocals (Chelsea Moore again, as on every song on this album), then drums and violin join in.  The conversation between the male and female vocalists will strike a chord with anyone who ever felt the need that to just get the hell out of Dodge and leave everything behind.  The song is on one hand sad, but on the other hand kind of hopeful.

Well kids, that ends my review of the Spruce Campbells EP, Mosques, Museums, and Mausoleums.  If you want a mind-blowing experience, check them out live and buy the album.

Other places to hear The Spruce Campbells’ music…
Myspace
Facebook
Bandcamp