(image for) drawing on canvas

 

SPOOL

(image for) drawing on canvas

(self-released)

After several singles the past couple of years, Japanese four-piece, SPOOL, return with a full length at the end of 2022!  There is something special about this band, but to be honest, I have a difficult time putting my finger on it.  They are always solid.  They mine a style that is a psychedelic indie rock that reminds me of the early Teenage Fanclub, when they were more similar the Dinosaur Jr than the Byrds. 

This new LP fits right in, yet mines another adjacent style.  The songs and production here are very straight ahead and streamlined.  SPOOL have often employed a dreamier, exploratory sound, but here the basslines are tight with the massive sounding drums.  This album would’ve fit neatly into the US dominated 4AD record label years from about 91-95.  I’m talking about when 4AD began releasing alterna-rock hits by US bands like Pixies, Throwing Muses, Belly, and especially the Breeders.  I’m not implying that Spool sounds like these bands, or is copying their sound, I’m just saying that if you appreciated these artists, you might enjoy this one. 

From the tight thumping of the momentum gathering opening instrumental “fu_ka_n” to the closing melancholy “nevv song,” this album is pleasing at every stop.  The highlights for me are the vaguely Lush-like ”Somewhere,” which scratches many itches, along with the heavy and cranking “In My Head,” which includes a guitar line that sounds like a buoy beacon in the distance, and the two minute scorcher “P-90.” “Light of the Sun” is amazing too, despite ripping off the opening of Adorable’s 1994 “Vendetta” single.  What a song to steal from though!!  It becomes its own rocker by the time the first verse comes in.  The three pre-LP singles are all nice inclusions, though surprisingly, three of the quieter additions.

SPOOL, have easily earned the honor of being a band that I will continue to purchase prior to hearing new offerings.  I know that sounds silly, but I take that very seriously.  There aren’t many that my tightwad hands will ungrip for sound unheard.  It almost feels like they’re taken for granted after only three excellent albums.

(https://spool1991.bandcamp.com/album/image-for-drawing-on-canvas)

SPOOL "(image for) drawing on canvas"

Spool

Spool

Spool

(Testcard Records)

When I first started buying music regularly, CDs were still a relatively new thing (I know, I’m old).  Back in the mid-80s, there wasn’t much selection available on CD and they were like $18-$20 each.  Most titles were brought in on German or Japanese import, which were often closer to $30 apiece, but they seemed exotic and exciting, especially the Japanese imports with the artful Japanese script wrapped around the package and frequently a bunch of bonus tracks not available anywhere else.  Compact Discs were daunting then because of the price, especially since one could buy new a new vinyl album for about $6-$8.  Of course, it’s the exact opposite now.  Vinyl costs a fortune and feels like the exotic option.  The Japanese releases were always from US or European artists.  The idea of a Japanese indie rock band was not a concept in my world back then.  Unfortunately, things haven’t changed a lot.  A few Japanese artists have found small audiences over the past 20 years, but for the most part their music has been ignored by western audiences.  I don’t know if this will change any time soon, but I’ve sure had my eyes and ears opened over the past year or so.  It turns out that Japan has a thriving indie rock scene with a bunch of great bands that are right up my alley! 

Spool, a four piece from Tokyo, may be the best I’ve encountered yet!  Their brand of early 90s sounding shoegaze, psychedelia, and indie pop is incredibly powerful and addictive.  I swear, if their unbelievably catchy song “sway, fadeaway” had been released on Creation Records back in say early 1991 between singles like Teenage Fanclub’s “Star Sign,” Swervedriver’s “Rave-Down,” and Slowdive’s “Catch the Breeze,” it would’ve been right at home and I would’ve hungrily snatched up a copy and listened to it over and over.  In fact, after seeing the music video for their album’s first single, “Be My Valentine,” at the end of 2018, I immediately pre-ordered the album.  The opening track “nightescape,” reminds me a bit of The Heartthrobs, or The Nightblooms with its trippy intensity, while “Let Me Down” builds to an emotional crescendo (and the title sung in English!).  “Shotgun” is a mid-tempo song with a clever repeated organ refrain, and a sing-a-long chorus, even though I have no idea what Ayumi is saying,  Another highlight, “springpool,” later in the album, has a smooth forward propulsion (love that bassline!) that reminds me a bit of Spotlight Kid.  The closing “No, thank you,” manages to be a polite send-off that still manages to blow the doors off the hinges.

Overall, this debut is very strong, already one of the best albums of 2019 so far.  Spool employ a nice variety and the album always feels fresh and engaging.  They, along with the moody Collapse (whose Delirium Poetry EP last year was one of my favorites), could be my new gateway into the far away world of incredible music.  I’m excited to see where this takes me.  Won’t you join me?

(https://spool1991.bandcamp.com/)

Spool "Be My Valentine"