CD Review: The Story So Far...

Song I'm Listening To At The Start Of This Blog: Give It A Try by (Spunge)

 On my previous post I started to review my top 5 albums ever. This is number 2 in the series.

(Spunge) - The Story So Far...

The first time I ever heard (Spunge) was on Steve Lamacq's evening show on Radio 1. That song was the favourite Roots. Not long after I received my first ever pay cheque from work and quickly rushed out and brought the album. It cost me £15 but I didn't care because I was in love. I can honestly say 'The Story So Far' changed my life. Not because of the strong political messages (there isn't any) or the high level of musicianship (sarcasm). Through falling in love with this album it forced me to open my eyes and discover more bands who playing a similar style of music. I found the American big boys such as Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. I found UK underground heroes like Lightyear, 4ft Fingers (who I'm seeing soon and I can't fudging wait!) and Capdown. This was the first time I'd ever had such a love and quite frankly obsession with anything and my CD collection quickly grew. It still grows to this day and I'll always remember The Story So Far started me off.

Now for a bit on the actual content of the album. The opening track takes its name from the album title and is a biographical account of the bands history. It starts of with a slow ska style with lead singer Al tunefully telling the history above it. Halfway through the song the picks up a gear and the smooth ska sounds has developed into a rock and roll onslaught and the tuneful singing has gone and replaced with some passionate shouting of "this is the story so far, can't wait for the next chaper." A great way to open an album. Up next is the single Roots. Roots is as the name suggests about not forgetting where it all started from despite how successful you may become in life. This song incorporates one of my favourite things you can do in a song when its played live. The old stop dead during the song, wait for a few seconds and then kick straight back in. I love it. 

Track 4 on the album is the great Change Of Scene. A song about a girl wanting to become a lesbian. A topic it seems only ska bands seem to write about. The lyric "now she's found herself a lover endowed just like her mother" brings a smile to my face every time I hear it. Next is a (Spunge) classic. Of course I'm talking about Skanking Song. They use the standard ska punk style guitars underneath verses about various haircuts people in the "scene." The chorus of "this is a skanking song, it's a skanking song, and you can't go wrong if you see along" is just an instruction for the crowd to "skank along." (As if they wouldn't be already. To be honest the song is a big pile of nonsense, which is not a bad thing because its so much fun!

The album continues with the song Ego. Ego can also be found on the bands previous album "Room For Abuse." I find Ego to be a dig at rock stars who get to big for their boots. Ironically (Spunge) have never struck me as a band who are big headed at all and see themselves as the same level as the fans who put them where they are. The next song is (Spunge)'s biggest hit, Jump On Demand. Got to number 39 in the UK charts you know. A another song with the great message about all people being equal despite there wealth. This song amused me a lot when I saw them play it live, everyone in the building was jumping when told to when the song itself is about not understand why people 'jump on demand.'

Friend Called Fred is an interesting song. Its about the little devil who sits on your shoulder and gets you into trouble and how frustrating it is. Its shows great lyrical skill to be able to write a deep song like this as well as songs about lesbians and skanking. Finishing up is the almost anthem-like Too Little, Too Late. It's about about learning to take advice from others and not be stubborn. Again a very unique subject for a song, one I've rarely heard. 

The Story So Far has everything I could ever want in an album. A mix of fun and serious songs, great sing-along's and it makes me want to dance. Go listen now!

Song Listening To At The End Of This Blog: Too Little Too Late by (Spunge)

BRAP!