Tuneful and accessible, yes, with a hint of sweetness certainly, but Spearmint’s ‘News from Nowhere’ is anything but bubblegum. Singling out tracks is rather a redundant exercise here: 11 tracks of magnificently crafted tunes – you’d broadly class them as indie rock, with surging guitars and occasional synth detail.
Lyrically, the album touches on some heavy weighty issues with a focus on environmental concerns (‘Light That Shines from a Dead Star’ and ‘Dolphins’ are noteworthy), the ageing process and the human condition. The jittery Pet Shop Boys style discopop meets The Fall of ‘Children of the Sixties, Children of the Seventies’ reflects on the disappointment of life and the changing musical landscape. ‘My Anger’ is as classic a disaffected pop tune as anything penned by Jarvis Cocker. The last track, ‘I Will Sleep Tonight’ is one of the most touching songs of childhood you’re likely to hear all year.
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Spearmint may be rapidly approaching their 20th anniversary, but they’re sounding as fresh as ever here.
Spearmint Online
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