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Spinal Tap - Back From The Dead

Published June 21 2009


*
=Staff's pick

Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You, Tonight
Back From The Dead*
(Funky) Sex Farm*
Rock N' Roll Creation*
Jazz Odyssey I
Gimme Some Money
Rock N' Roll Nightmare
Heavy Duty*
America
Jazz Odyssey II
(Listen To The) Flower People (Reggae Stylee)
Hell Hole
Big Bottom*
Celtic Blues*
Jazz Odyssey III
Warmer Than Hell*
Stonehenge*
Short And Sweet*
Cups And Cakes


Genre Traditional Metal
David St. Hubbins
Vocals
Tracks 19
David St. Hubbins
Guitar
Runningtime 66 Min.
Nigel Tufnel
Guitar
Label Artist2Market
Derek Smalls
Bass
Release 16 June 2009
Gregg Bissonette
Drums
Country England
C. Jeffrey Vanston
Keyboard
Similar artists Queen, Anvil, Thin Lizzy

Spinal Tap are back from the dead, and still stinking up the great outdoors with their summer - "Unwigged & Unplugged" Tour. Like a cool, close, clan caravan, they are properly promoting the promising release of their actual third studio album; while celebrating their official 25th Anniversary.

'Back From The Dead' marks the first studio release since 1992's 'Break Like The Wind'. It proudly features re-recorded versions of songs from the - This Is Spinal Tap Movie, as well as, introducing five new big ditties.

These newly penned anthems include: 1) "Warmer Than Hell" - a song about global warming, first played live in 2007 at Wembley Stadium during the "Live Earth" Festival. 2) "Short And Sweet" - a one chord cadence exhibiting the guitar talents of Phil Collen (Def Leppard), John Mayer, and Steve Vai. 3) "Celtic Blues" - a gaelic a capella folk chant. 4) "Rock N' Roll Nightmare and 5) "Back From The Dead" - a haunting melody with narration by Vincent Price Jr. This was initially released as a single in 2000, and played live on The David Letterman Show, last July.

There are new versions of some classics like - "Sex Farm" which is given the funked up treatment. "(Listen To The) Flower People" assumes a reggae stylee vibe. The instrumental - "Jazz Odyssey Parts 1-3" - appeared briefly in the film, and here Derek Smalls showcases how to metalize the acid jazz fluidity.

This album also reprises the keyboard talents of C.J. Vanston, who helped produce. Gregg Bissonette appropriately assumes the drum slot, for now.

For fans of the popular game: "Rock Band", three new songs can be downloaded for playing. The salacious song - "Saucy Jack" - a tongue and cheek account of Jack the Ripper - was released through their website, but omitted from the CD.

By far, the best thing about "Back From The Dead", in my opinion, is that it consists of the best metal packaging ever! It includes a DVD which has the three actors commenting on each cut, with humour, and such ludicrous, inane, yet witty banter. When the digipak is properly unravelled, it folds out to form a diorama paper doll effect of the three musicians standing on a Stonehenge like stage. All this and I paid $10 at Best Buy!

The cover artwork is totally metal, as well. The CD clocks in at a running time of 66 minutes and 59 seconds, their attempt to make it 66.6 - the number of their best intentions.

We all know Spinal Tap essentially started it all, so do they still continue to to exude everything mettle, in this milieu? After all, according to David St. Hubbins, "The essence of Rock 'N' Roll, is in the stains, is it not!" The answer is an overwhelming YES! The majesty of rock returns in pure form, ready to break like the wind, and just begin again.

The title track is very catchy, dark, luminous, and so evocative; replete with plenty of schtick, and promise. The recitative elements adds to the mystique and imaginative qualities. The updated versions of the classics remain true as steel, enduring, and ecstatic.

The funky version of "Sex Farm" is awesome, and the rap really works, with expletives and gangsta' gag removed, replaced with a hip tone, and a happy, rustic flavour. The hayseeds are sown incessantly. The reggae version for "Flower People" has a strong calypso vibe, ex deo, delicious; shining on like a Mozart symphony.

"Rock N' Roll Nightmare" is an average tune, but still involved, and effectively heavy duty doled out chaotic fun. "Why waste good music on a brain!" "Short And Sweet" is anything but short, and sweet, but this treacle theatric suite is sure to sate.

"Celtic Blues" is a beautifully polychromatic, melancholic piece hachured with occidental Irish blues, and wales of lament. Here the folksmen carry the melody all the way home.

"Warmer Than Hell" has Satan realizing that due to global warming, hell is not the hottest location, any longer; so he sojourns throughout England, watching the sun ever sweat, and the people perspire in their own private hell hole.

The Classics such as - "Stonehenge", "Big Bottom", "Rock 'N' Roll Creation", "Heavy Duty", full on still sound killer, with an updated production, performance, and flair.

"Stonehenge" has that heterosectional element according to David St. Hubbins. "Big Bottom" can never have enough bass, and bottom end sound, if you agree with Derek. Talk about bumcakes and mudflaps, I know my girl's got 'em, and there is no way I'll leave her behind! The I-pod re-written rendition of - "Rock N' Roll Creation" - resonates with a yin meets yang spiritually binding force, if Nigel Tufnel's astute account is accurate.

Choosing to end the CD with the puerile - "Cups And Cakes" - is a bit surprising. This, essentially, is really more than just a children's song. Don't let the band kid ya'. The tidbits of moral acceptance assuage the time for tea mentality.

So the once English lads, now grand dads, may be tapped out, with spinal and back pain from endless touring..."Hello Cleveland!" Thankfully, the music always remains one louder, because... "these go to 11...". Thus, these saucy jack of all trades prove they still rock and can create dutiful heavy metal menories.

It is past springtime, and not quite Christmas, but if the devil dwells in us all, smell the glove, take a bite of the shark sandwich, re-introduce yourself to your Intravenus de Milo, and jackhammer your brain, until you get nerve damage, because Spinal Tap are back from the dead, and they are banging your head!


Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8,5

8,5

8,5

8,5

8,5

 
Summary



8,5 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel


Related links:

www.spinaltap.com
www.myspace.com/spinaltap