I picked this one up after seeing their advert quoting Mike Knott ("Cool, rippin, vibin action") and Michael Pritzl of The Violet Burning ("amazing"). And it's pretty darn good--driving guitars with biting distortion, big and powerful drumming, and well-written songs. Turns out Michael Misiuk of Acoustic Shack is the guitarist and vocalist here, but the music bears no resemblance to that early 90s rock band (thankfully). Other notables lend a hand as well--Ed Benrock (LSU/Mortal drummer) pounds the skins on half the tracks, and Gene Eugene works his magic on the mixing board.
The music has a bit of indie rock cool, some bursts of punk energy, a few (few) moments of reverb-drenched Radiohead-isms, tasty lead guitar, and generous amounts of edgy alterna-pop sensibilities. Misiuk's vocal range is good, from whispery singing to nasal Billy Corgan-ish (Smashing Pumpkins) snarls. His wife Laura (singer for Acoustic Shack) joins another woman for back-up vocals on "Red Ready" (the only mellow, meditative track). Songs like "Select," "Hey Butterfly," "Red Ready," and "Not Like That" can hold their own with any alternative rock out there these days.
No lyric sheet is included, but if you want to make sense of the lyrics they're not too hard to make out (although discerning the meanings might take some effort, as they don't seem all that obvious upon casual listening).
Take A Spin is one of the best independent rock albums I've heard in quite a while. Their sound admittedly isn't all that different from a few other bands, and some listeners may claim the songs are a little too same-y, but the music displayed here is still as good as, if not better than, most of those other bands. And they've definitely got a cooler name.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #76Reviewed by Doug Van PeltTo some people, pop music can never be mundane, or simple, or too sugary sweet. Many today find their outlet in layers of guitars, vocals, and a hypnotic backbeat. Call 'em "post punk," call 'em "modern rock," or call 'em "weird." Just don't call 'em normal. Such is the groovy Kreepdowns. Mixing heavy inspirations from the songwriting of Social Distortion, the dreamy and fuzzy tones of Smashing…Similar sounding releases
2000Idlewild100 Broken Windows
2001The And/OrsWill Self-Destruct
1998Kosmos ExpressSimulcast
1995Adam AgainPerfecta
2003The Prayer ChainHere Comes the Rust
1996Pushstart WagonSqueaky Clean
