I have had The Pink Spiders on rotation in my life since Teenage Graffiti came out, but this is the first time I’ve returned to new music from them in earnest. I know there was a bit of a rocky history as far as permanent members went beyond lead singer Matt Friction, so I’d say that’s the reason I never quite stayed current with them.
Well, that’s all about to change with their new album, FREAKAZOID! I’d say with a first listen through, I thought this was a solid pop rock record and really, really reminded me why I liked Teenage Graffiti so much. Having already heard “Gold Confetti” before, I can tell you that only one additional listen meant that it was stuck in my head for days! In fact, I’d almost guarantee I’ll be singing it to myself in the shower later. Similar to that lead single, now that I’ve listened to the record another half dozen times, I can assure you all the rest had me dancing and singing along maybe more than I’ve done with any other record this year. That’s high praise!
Truly every song was catchy, and as someone who doesn’t always love a slow jam, I’m glad to say there were non present here. Sure, they slowed it down maybe a little bit, but by the time the first chorus rolled around they were already ramped up and stayed there. I found their next single, “Let’s Go Home,” a bit of an odd choice because not too many of the lyrics I found to be memorable. There’s a special piano part about two thirds of the way through, and I suppose significantly vocals made this a little more unique, but it’s not one that I’ve recognized immediately when it starts. “Devotion” I found to be a much more effective third single and that’s probably got a lot to do with the fact that it reminds me of “Pretend That This is Fiction.” It’s got the hand claps. I love a good hand clap.
All the rest have a little something something to differentiate them from the song that played before. For instance, “Stoned to the Bone,” had a really cool psychedelic groove to it, where the closing track, “Right Note,” has some awesome plucky guitar notes that I’ve never heard them play anything like before. As the track list continued to tick off on my umpteenth listen, I can’t help but convince myself that Weezer fans would be all in with these guys! They need to tour together! Of all the songs that I liked a lot on this record, “Cuttin’ Loose” is my absolute favorite. I can’t really pinpoint why exactly, but I promise it’s the one I’ve played back the most. I particularly like the lyric repeated in the chorus that goes, “everybody is hotter in the dark, anyway.” It’s funny, but I love how it’s sang.
All of this to say that The Pink Spiders put out a really fun and catchy album and I’m glad they’re back in my life. They should be in yours too if they aren’t already.