Spouse - Army Song

For musicians, I can't think that wearing the breadth of influence on your sleeve is ever really a bad thing. For some it is mere soulless imitation. However, there are cases where the re-knitting of styles creates an all more attractive sound. Case in point: a band I have fallen in love with in one foul swoop named Spouse.

Hailing from Northampton, MA and Portland, ME, Spouse blends elements of music I spent the better part of the 1990's watching develop and unfold to create a sound that is both emotionally potent and insanely catchy. Their newest release, Are You Gonna Kiss Or Wave Goodbye is filled with reverential reference to those bands that gave birth to the burgeoning indie music scene. Unlike others in their genre, they carry the power of their music into their live performance to create a show laden with hooks and harmonies that outpace their contemporaries.

While we're listening to these great songs, the war goes on. The voice of opposition always needs a new song to sing along to, and besides that great Le Tigre single "New Kicks (No War)", I can't say I've heard any with near the presence of Spouse's "Army Song". It's the right song at the right time.

If you ever loved Dinosaur, Jr., Superchunk, Wilco, Guided By Voices, The Jayhawks, and The Replacements, your tastes are generously manifested in these cleverly and deftly-crafted pop gems.

Spouse is on the road through the end of the year, so be sure and catch them in a city near you. I hope you walk away with the same breathless contentment that this record gives me with each replay.

BONUS TRACKS: Are You Gonna Kiss Or Wave Goodbye? Here Comes The Headache