5.0 out of 5 stars
A Mature Complex Album, March 9, 2008
This review is from: Neanderthal (Audio CD)
The eight tracks comprising the album deal with issues ranging from the irreverent to the troubling. The album does, however, generate a hard-rocking half hour.
Immediately jumping off the album is the second track, Eat Out My Heart.In the song, singer-songwriter Mike Huberty curses his ex-girlfriend. "I hope you have an ugly boyfriend/I hope you're working at a carwash." Guitarist Ben Jaeger provides chords that help cement this gem as a male version of Alanis Morisette's You Oughta Know.
Another fast favorite of the CD is Mr. Foff, an upbeat tribute to an old rocker who provided whiskey for the band after a lame show. Even with these songs though, fans of Sunspot need not fret about the band failing to live up to its motto of "arena rock for geeks". The song Morgan Le Fay, for example, makes plenty of references to the Arthurian legend for fans to digest. Furthermore, drummer Wendy Lynn Staats lays down masterful beats and vocal harmonies that help provide Sunspot with its noted sound.
Offering the troubling aspect to the album, however, is the title track. Neanderthal makes references to raping hookers, killing multiple people, and hurting the handicap. It fittingly is also the heaviest tune on the album. One might wonder why it was used for the album name but when the album is looked at in its entirety, it can be seen that Huberty is trying to convey a complexity about ourselves and how we can regress to a primordial state. Therefore, it is an appropriate title for the album though the song itself, while powerful, is not the CD's prize.
With gems such as Eat Out My Heart, Sunspot makes a statement that they are ready for superstardom. While not every track on the album will get a five star rating on iPods, there is plenty there for rockers emulating Mr. Foff or for rockers who are closet geeks.
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