Some bands are visual, yeah? You need to see them live, in person, to truly experience them. You need to see the costumes, the theatrics, the flashing lights and, yes, the sweat running down their faces. Spiritual Cramp are like this, but, uh, not? Not the costumes, not the theatrics, not the flashing lights (I’ll stay mum about the sweat). But you need to be there, live, in person, to get them. I don’t mean to gatekeep, but you do. They’re on tour right now, the tickets are reasonably priced, there’s nothing stopping you. Bay Area raucous punk group, Spiritual Cramp, who I saw earlier this March, recently released their sophomore album- Spiritual Cramp. Technically. They have a plethora of EPs and singles to browse back-catalogue wise if you’re so inclined. While their self titled album isn’t quite as lawless as their previous releases, their live show certainly is. Thrashing, jumping, shredding, and sometimes shirtless, the band moves like a well oiled catapult intent on destroying the crowd. This ragged and anarchic violence seeps into their music and rewrites the way I hear it- even now, a month after the show I hear their recorded music differently. It’s harder, fuzzier and semi deranged. The live experience steeps into my headphones every time I press play on Spiritual Cramp’s opening track. That being said, know I’m writing this review under the influence of the sort of energy only a mosh pit can conjure.
Album opener ‘Blowback’ introduces you to the band’s sound and their plethora of influences. Reggae, punk and garage rock filtered through a distinctly Fred Perry filter. If you haven’t heard the band before you’ll be shocked at the lack of British accents. ‘Blowback’ swells but never quite crests on the thready melody carried throughout the track.
A Cramps like vocal tinge creeps into one of my favourites- ‘Slick Rick’. Tinny drums and rumbling guitars twine together low in the mix as the band prods at working class debt vs aesthetics with their lyrics. The vocals play like closing time proclamations. ‘Talkin’ On The Internet’ crumbles down the bravado ‘Slick Rick’ raised up. While the guitars are some of the most bombastic on the album, the lyrics paint a different picture. Essentially a long form way to say ‘go touch grass’ the band decries a shut-in who’s always “talking on the internet”. Apparently no one is safe from the indie sleaze revival as ‘Herberts On Holiday’ opens with a nostalgic (at least for me) riff straight out of 2005. Light melodies lead into a catchy chorus as sharp drums carry on in the background. While I enjoy the recorded song, there’s something different about singing “I thought I was going to live a lonely and pathetic life” with a room full of people.
The album veers back to their original sound on The Clash inspired ‘City On Fire’. Echoing and harmonized vocals snap at the heels of a bouncy bassline and growling riffs. It’s a quietly groovy riot song. ‘Better Off This Way’ bursts in with screamed vocals and thrashing drums. The guitar riff reminds me very vaguely of Neil Young’s ‘Like A Hurricane’; this could be correct or I’m just excited his catalogue is back on Spotify. ‘Clashing At The Party’ boasts one of the best bass lines I’ve heard this year. ‘Catch A Hot One’ sounds like a late phase Arctic Monkeys song, and at this point, it does sound like they’re starting to develop British accents. Remarkable. Album closer ‘Addict’ is equal parts catchy melody and scathing takedown with lyrics “I don’t have the fucking energy”.
I enjoy every variation of Spiritual Cramp’s sound- live, chaotic, recorded, reggae inspired, and restrained. The album Spiritual Cramp feels a bit confused, not quite cohesive in which of those sounds it wants to pull from. While there isn’t a set direction the journey is still a hell of a ride. As a group, they thrive in a live environment, but their recorded work is well worth a listen (or two, or three).
