Could It Be Different?

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:33:31
Personnel: Nye Todd, Adam Todd (vocals, guitar); Anna Cory (vocals); Matthew Johnson (organ, synthesizer); Niall McCamley (drums). Audio Mixer: Matthew Johnson . Recording information: Suburban Home Studio. Photographer: Jender Anomie. The chorus of the first song on Could It Be Different? rings out in defiant glee as the bandmembers proclaim "fuck you! I'm still alive." This sentiment defines the Spook School's third album in one instant of punk pop glory. The uplifting and empowering current of righteous anger and unbridled attitude runs like electricity throughout the record as the band wrap their punches in giant hooks, couch their introspection in ringing guitar lines, and write songs that are perfect for angry dancing and happy tears. Working again with Hookworms' Matthew Johnson at the controls, the foursome get a cleaner, tougher sound that gives the already tougher-than-heartbreak songs another level of power. Drummer Niall McCamley pushes the songs forward with an almost feverish energy, the twin guitars of Nye and Adam Todd ring, slash, and careen in furious squalls of sound that dissolve into crystal clear melodies, and Anna Cory's bass anchors the tempest with a light touch. The band is graced with three excellent singers with different writing styles, and each of them just keeps improving with each album. The blend of voices and songs works really well, with each person complementing the other instead of branching too far out. It makes for a very cohesive album despite the variation. Adam Todd's "Keep in Touch" is a lovely noise pop heartbreaker that flows perfectly into Nye's emo-sad ballad "Bad Year," Anna Cory's romping noise pop confection "I Only Dance When I Want To" sits perfectly next to Nye's desperate rocker "I Hope She Loves You," and there's never a moment that sounds less than completely honest or true as the band spill their emotions like jostled drinks on the dancefloor. Romantic confusion, self-empowerment, breakups, and identity crises are all spelled out in clear and affecting terms, with Nye a close-to-the-bone lyric writer, but the other three aren't too far behind. Could It Be Different? is an exhilarating album that hits hard on the emotional front while making sure to move feet at the same time. It's a small step up from their previous works, with stronger sounding and with sharper hooks that help make it even clearer that the Spook School are one of the most exciting and important bands of their era. ~ Tim Sendra