Review of (spunge)'s CD "The Story So Far"

(spunge): The Story So Far

UK five-piece (spunge) are proclaimed as Britain's answer to Less Than Jake, and even scored a top 40 hit with Jump On Demand - the fan's favourite also opens this strong album. Following it Roots and Ego are firm favourites for future single releases. Although the band sit firmly in the ska side of the ska-punk gene pool, Roots has scary Sum 41 vocal interludes while the latter is a great little skankin' number, full of momentum and ska groove. It rates 100 on the dance-o-meter and explains the comparisons the band is getting to the likes of Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Featuring a catchy chorus - "I would have thought you'd have noticed, Yeah, I'm your host with the most-est" - and an opening thirty seconds of toe tapping quality, this is the highpoint of a rather fine introduction. Now into an eight year The Story So Far is the band's third album and while some criticise their lack of direction, newcomers will love this recording. The short but sweet Skanking Song epitomises everything that makes this CD so enjoyable: "This is a skanking song, and you can't go wrong, if you skank along. Hey, Hey, Hey..." There are some great moments contained within these eleven tracks, although some of the weaker aspects average out the overall impression; it's not album of the year by a long shot, but within the blossoming Leeds ska scene it should do very well.

• www.spunge.co.uk

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