Spiritual Cramp: Television 12″

Description

After two EPs (React and Deranged) and a self-released demo, come Spirituals Cramps debut 12. Combining Sandinista-esq experimentation with modern alternative rock might be something that scares away the leather and spike crowd but thats only if youve been pretending The Clash didnt write some of the best rock n roll songs the world ever knew. A merging of classic UK punk with some modern aesthetics manage to create a sound that is a welcome American take on classic UK Punk. Theyre even bold enough to exploit the reggae influence that was moving through bands like the aforementioned and Stiff Little Fingers. This new 12 catches you up by repackaging the 7s with a set of new tracks including a Sex Pistols and Billy Bragg cover. The influences are worn on their sleeve and brings to mind the kind of bands that would have gotten me into punk in the first place. Its accessible but still smart and still aggressive. The vocals sound like theyre crooned from a ghost lamenting a wasted life or shouted like Malcolm Owen knew hed die young. If you were a fan of those Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things LPs youll find something here to chew on. Likewise, if those Seivehead records were a breath of fresh air for you this might be the band youve been waiting for. Josh (Neon Waste)