Review by Stan Cierlitsky
So, let me start by getting something off my chest. Spearmint belong in the hall of fame of criminally underrated bands. They hold their place right at the top with Shout Out Louds and The Wannadies. And the main thing all of these bands have in common is they all feature songwriters who are driven to write the perfect pop song. Sadly, The Wannadies called it quits years ago, but Shout Out Louds and Spearmint are still going strong. In fact, Spearmint return with a new album, Are You From the Future?, on Hitback Records tomorrow, November 1.
The album is preceded by the lead single "24 Hours in A and E". Singer Shirley Lee wrote a bit about it on their site recently and one of the more interesting bits of the comments was, "The middle eight is a conscious nod to the break in our tune 'A Trip Into Space'.” Interestingly enough, that's the song that got me into Spearmint back in 1998 (and yes, I was even into them before their first proper album in 1999). And, honestly, this new album is as close to perfect as that debut A Week Away.
Before I keep reviewing, let me jump to the bottom line. Even with the chamber pop additions and some of the more electronic flourishes, Spearmint aren't covering a lot of new ground on this album. If you have heard them and like them, get this. You will agree it's either their best or one of their best. If you have given Spearmint a try and it wasn't for you, this album probably won't change your mind. If you have never heard of them, run and try out this new album. Obviously you are here on Glenn's site because you like great "less discovered" music. This is that!
Okay, back to the album. There are at least 6 songs on Are You From The Future? that could eventually make a Best Of Spearmint release. (And by the way, Shirley, where is that "best of" compilation? Heck, it's been 20 years, 9 albums not including compilations, and at least two dozen singles. So we deserve one by this point!) "Senseless", "St. Thomas in the Darkness", "Boom Boom Boom" and "I Met a Boy" are all classic Spearmint hits. "Senseless" was actually released as a single last year, although it was a little shorter, a little less produced, and actually called "Senseless (A Stranger)".
I actually found myself enjoying a lot of the less poppy tracks too this time out. "Fireflies" is a slower ballad that reflects on getting older and perhaps struggling with your memories (I can relate). "Smoke from bonfires on the beach, the time and place just out of reach, it feels like I had been there." go the lyrics. It's just a lovely song. "I Don't Sleep Well Without You" is another song I can definitely relate to too. Being married 25 years as of last month, for me sleeping alone isn't easy. It was funny and sad to me to hear Shirley Lee recount all the different things he hears lying in bed hoping for sleep.
"As I Write" might end up being the most talked about track, mostly because of the lyrics. "As I write this, the President is a fool, a bare-faced liar, Ignorant and cruel." The song deals with a lot of modern day struggles with our leaders, the news, and being exhausted and done with it all.
Two other tracks I wanted to mention have a little spiced-up electronic elements to them. "St. Thomas in the Darkness" starts out with a pulsing beat. It's a big opening for another great Spearmint hit. And I also wanted to mention the closer, "It Won't Happen to Me". This might be the most interesting song on Are You From The Future? and one of my favorites. It really sounds like a pulsating dance-floor filler. Instead of singing, Shirley Lee talks over the beats. Then the song breaks open like clouds letting sunshine through. There's a beautiful interlude where the beats stop, the strings appear, and Shirley sings, "It won't happen to me, the stars in the sky all agree, that kind of luck isn't mine, and child I will be fine."
So, as I said earlier this album isn't good, it's great. At least watch the video for the new single. If you like it, buy the album. Maybe if enough people do that we can finally get Spearmint to cross the pond and play a few shows here.
Are You From The Future? is out on November 1.
More details on Spearmint via the band's official website, Spearmint.net, or the band's official Facebook page.
[Photos: Shirley Lee]