If you have had the opportunity to immerse yourself into the worshipful performance of Spooky Tuesday at one of their shows, but found yourself less inspired by the CD you took home, you are in for a treat. Spooky Tuesday's last couple albums were not given the best treatment by their labels, and suffered from low production value. But they have finally found a label home with Jackson Rubio's sub-label, 5 Star Recordings, and are being treated right. This newest release, their first under the Wignall rainbow, is called, "The Trouble We Make..." and is the best recorded representation of the band I have ever heard. It even has cool cover art and photography.
Those of you unfamiliar with Spooky Tuesday's brand of grey rock and roll should be ready for very raw, emotive vocals and thick guitar work. They do not fall into any modern genre of music, and utilize no faddish loops or fancy hooks. They just play melodic rock music from the gut. The strength of their music is the plane of honesty supporting every note, and the unforced harmonies and beautiful whimsy given every melody. The vocals are split between Andrew and Jessica, bringing a remarkable contrast to each song. Andrew's vocals are warm and soft, but they still possess a manly, gruff quality, especially when he really lets loose, while Jessica brings in a sound that is pure woman. A feminine, listful touch that brings a haunting red to Andrew's blue. The result is rich purple to clothe the Carpenter of whom they sing.
The instrumentation displays seasoned talent, but does not overpower the vocals, rather it serves them like a hot plate serving succulent food. In fact, the band gives a very unselfish performance, all facets complimenting and supporting the other. This fact is probably what most contributes to the honest sound I referred to earlier. It is very refreshing to listen to a band that plays like a band, with no member trying to outshine another, and all members contributing to the sum of their sound. Their lyrics also help bring this honesty to bear, being very personal and forthcoming. There is a definite quality of worship to the entire album, but without any rhetoric or cliches. The most outstanding song, in my opinion, is "Offered Myself," an amazing success in bringing worship to the hardened heart. If you just can't seem to bring yourself to the Throne Room anymore, this song could be your invitation. This inspirational tug is achieved unpretentiously with a marching tempo, tear-tugging vocals, and earnest lyrics, baked at 425 degrees, and served on fire.
The only problem I have with this album is that some of the songs seem a little out of place. It could have been organized a little better, to give it that sense of a "whole experience." But that is probably just the anal retentive side in me. It is easy to get lost in this album. It will make you think. It will make you day-dream. It will make you worship, and it may even make you cry. Huge props out to Spooky Tuesday, the most underrated band out there, and even huger props to Matt Wignall for giving them the support they deserve.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Michial FarmerIt has been, as they say, a hard-knock life for Spooky Tuesday. Their first two albums had a miniscule shelf life due to the collapse of their label Innocent Media, and it seemed that they were forever doomed to a life of hearing "Spooky who?" Fortunately for them, Jackson/Rubio Recordings signed them, and they have just released a new album entitled The Trouble We Make.... I missed the band's…Similar sounding releases
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