Spearmint - Are You From the Future?
by Dixie Ernill
published: 24 / 2 / 2020
Label:
Hitback Records
Format: CD
intro
Fantastic new album from under-rated London-based indie pop outfit Spearmint which proves a first-rate return to form
Spearmint have been a going concern for close to a quarter of a century and, having been lucky enough to see them play live in Manchester’s now defunct Roadhouse venue back in the late 1990s, I have been a keen fan ever since. Whilst not every release has completely hit the mark with me, the band has been pretty consistent (as shown by a couple of excellent B-side and obscurities compilations along the way). Indeed, the likes of 'A Different Lifetime' and 'Paris in a Bottle' are top notch alternative Britpop albums in their own right. New release 'Are You From the Future? is a definite return to form and has all the hallmarks of the loved Spearmint sound – lush orchestration and a mixture of sung and spoken vocals. Essentially this is a love album, or at least an album that examines the various facets of love and relationships in well crafted melody and clever observational lyrics such as stunning highlight 'Thomas', with its cute twist at the end. 'Senseless' questions the sanity of falling in love, even though we all do it and 'I Don’t Sleep Well Without You' recalls those nights away from a loved one. Similarly, 'Fireflies' gently reminisces and the achingly brilliant 'St Thomas in the Darkness' rings out with the wonderful "You are the girl/you are the one." Maybe falling in love isn’t so bad after all? Elsewhere lead single '24 Hours in A and E' has a lovely dance feel, while 'Pick the Papers Up' has a poignant political dig in these uncertain times. There are even more gems here too, but grab this album, crank up the volume and dance barefoot round the kitchen to find out for yourself! Go buy!
Track Listing:-
1 24 Hours In A&E2 Pick The Paper Up
3 Senseless
4 Fireflies
5 Thomas
6 I Don't Sleep Well Without You
7 Boom Boom Boom
8 As I Write This
9 St Thomas In The Darkness
10 I Met A Boy
11 The West Pier
12 It Won't Happen To Me
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/spearmint/50665287734http://www.spearmint.net/
http://www.hitbackonline.co.uk/acatalog/Spearmint.html
reviews |
News From Nowhere (2014) |
Solid first album in eight years from undervalued London indie pop outfit, Spearmint |
A Week Away (2009) |
Different Lifetime (2001) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesPhilip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Deep Purple - =1
Bill Wyman - Drive My Car
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart