Artist: Butch Walker And The Black Widows
Album: The Spade
Bitrate: 266kbps avg
Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz
Label: Lojinx
Genre: Rock
Size: 79.86 megs
PlayTime: 0h 39min 45sec total
Rip Date: 2011-09-12
Store Date: 2011-08-29
Track List:
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01. Bodegas And Blood 3:52
02. Everysinglebodyelse 3:00
03. Summer Of '89 4:14
04. Sweethearts 3:02
05. Day Drunk 3:54
06. Synthesizers 3:25
07. Dublin Crow 2:49
08. The Closest Thing To You I'm 3:56
Gonna Find
09. Bullet Belt 4:04
10. Sucker Punched 3:56
11. Untitled 3:33
Release Notes:
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Throughout his prolific career, Butch Walker has become more and more
sought-after as a producer. His latest release with the Black Widows, the
pop-tinged, rock-and-roll based The Spade, is a collection of reasons why. ItÆs
tough to imagine why any band or artist would pass over a chance to work with
Walker after hearing this release. Combining an overt rock-star being with a
catchiness that should put generic pop-rock bands to shame, The Spade might not
be the deepest or most complex release from Walker, but itÆs probably his most
jam-worthy.
If youÆre a fan of WalkerÆs more introspective side, you might be better off
sticking to 2008Æs Sycamore Meadows or last yearÆs I Liked It Better When You
Had No Heart. Both of those records were standouts in their respective years of
releases, and The Spade proves to be a standout this year as well, but for
different reasons. While WalkerÆs lyrical content is more relaxed and playful in
nature, that content directly matches the shift of his musicianship on The
Spade. Most of the albumÆs 10 tracks are packed with a high-energy demeanor, and
all of them are laden with hooks galore.
Not only do these hooks hit home, as proven from the get-go with opener ôBodegas
and Blood,ö but the catchiness of this record is consistent and seemingly
unlimited. Even when songs donÆt fully hit the mark, like ôEvery Single Body
Else,ö theyÆre still incredibly easy to listen to. The laid-back feel of the
album is brought out even more by the laughter and short conversation at the
ends of songs, and when listeners hear the explosive first single ôSummer of
Æ89,ö itÆs just impossible to not relish the feel-good vibes that The Spade
brings on. ItÆs certainly a fun, summertime record released near the end of the
season, but clever one-liners like, ôNobody knew Bryan Adams wasnÆt cool / The
TV just told me he was,ö wonÆt grow stale when the temperature drops.
Describing each of the tracks on The Spade is a purposeless endeavor û while the
album doesnÆt really bleed together, the songs all execute the same idea.
TheyÆre all supremely easy on the ears, very well produced and could all be
radio numbers, especially the bouncy ôSynthesizersö or the chaotic party that is
album standout ôBullet Belt.ö Songs where Walker gets a little more personal in
the lyricism (ôDay Drunkö and the slow-tempo ôClosest Thing To You IÆm Gonna
Findö) land well also.
The Spade is catchy enough that other pop artists should almost be frightened.
Walker seemingly writes ridiculously soaring pop hooks as easily as you or I
drink water. This record puts to shame many of the highly advertised pop albums
this year, and it does so with resounding force. While The Spade certainly isnÆt
WalkerÆs best effort and may not have as much lasting value as some of his past
releases, it makes a statement of a songwriter completely owning what he wanted
to create.