One of the most under-appreciated bands of 1997 returns with its sophomore project, and the wait has only done their music well. These melodic rock songs sound great. Speck has shed some of its dirty grunge elements and straight-ahead vocal lines and added some sugarpop melodic vocals a la Weezer, Believable Picnic, and The Juliana Theory. The guitar sounds here are produced wonderfully, adding strength to the overall fun sound.
Lyrically, Speck keeps things light-hearted with whimsical takes on living as a believer. For example, the song "I Am Superman" talks about the ability to fly and immortality, comparing Superman's powers with those of resurrected Christians in Heaven. In "Do You Think I'm Cool," the singer admits, "I don't like television, but I'll watch a show and love it tomorrow / I really shouldn't laugh at that / I need a chiropractor / I'm bending backwards to show and follow you." They get the laughs, but still drive some pretty pointed ideas home.
In "The Superstar Skinny," superficiality is blasted as the singer wishes, "It'd be good for me if I could be someone else than me," but the listener is later affirmed with, "You're good enough, you're good enough, to God, you're good enough." In "Fly On A Plane," the singer playfully describes all the lame things about flying on an airliner, but sums it up by telling God, "But I gotta go to a place that I don't know, cuz I love You and I wanna tell them so. So I'll fly on a plane." In "Kill My TV," the intention to get rid of the mindtrap is laced with references to shows like "Three's Company" and "Dukes of Hazzard."
Anyone that can pull out a laugh and conviction of some sort gets my respect. While the music and the lyrics are less than serious, the musicianship is superb.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Michial FarmerSome bands are forever doomed to be known as "youth group bands." These bands tend to be severely lacking in the lyrical department, and their music tends to be a rip-off of everything that was popular a year and a half ago. Well-intentioned youth ministers push this music on their pupils, and, boom, they're the next big thing in Christian music. After listening to the latest release from Speck,…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Eric DaamsThe very aim and purpose of Speck is to sing for the youth. As the reviewer above stated, the lyrics aren't terribly innovative, but I found them relevant to young people, focusing on such issues as the media, being happy with the way we are and doing what God's will for our lives is. Not much relevance to an adult audience, but very good for a young audience. The music is hook-driven guitar pop,…Similar sounding releases
1997Audio AdrenalineSome Kind Of Zombie
2000The Mustard SeedsRed
2004Last ConservativeOn To The Next One
2000All Star UnitedSmash Hits
2003BleachAstronomy
1999Tragedy AnnOne Nation Under God
