Spitalfield gets lost

By Lauren Squazzo
Collegian Reporter
October 11, 2006

Three years ago, I witnessed a low-key, young Chicago-based band play alongside acts MEST, Matchbook Romance, Fall Out Boy and Boys Night Out. Spitalfield, a band of over six years, have sold over 100,000 albums with their first two records, and just released their third album, Better Than Knowing Where You Are.

Three years ago as a junior in high school, I was impressed with the catchy, clean sound of Spitalfield, whose music at the time was different from the pop-punk music I’d frequently take in. Since then, they have toured with successful bands and have an upcoming fall tour with Boys Like Girls, Punchline and one of La Salle’s favorites, Valencia. With this third album, which claims to be a mixture of all their work over the years, the band hopes to express their growth musically and emotionally.

Better Than Knowing Where You Are starts off with a slow, clean 24-second intro which transitions into the first song, “Only Thing That Matters.” It makes for a catchy, up-beat song you may find yourself (shamefully) humming with its flashy guitar breakdowns and Jimmy Eat World-like vocals. Meanwhile, Spitalfield’s single, “Secrets In Mirrors,” holds a playful pop melody with its synchronized vocals and guitars.

The first three songs on the album are promising, however, as you hit the album’s fourth song, “Better Than Knowing Where You Are,” you may find yourself losing interest, as the CD progresses into a generic, unoriginal and safe album. Sounding like one monotonous song that was broken down into 12 (almost painfully) safe tracks, you may only want to save those first three songs to your iTunes. If you’re into a pop-alternative sound, you may feel indifferent towards this album.

The first three songs on the album are promising, however, as you hit the album’s fourth song, “Better Than Knowing Where You Are,” you may find yourself losing interest, as the CD progresses into a generic, unoriginal and safe album. Sounding like one monotonous song that was broken down into 12 (almost painfully) safe tracks, you may only want to save those first three songs to your iTunes. If you’re into a pop-alternative sound, you may feel indifferent towards this album.

Songs like “Tell Me Clarice” and “On The Floor” begin with an intriguing intro with frantic guitar rifts and jibing chorus. Spitalfield may be a band whose live performance may be enough to win a listener over, as long as the band “rocks out” passionately. For a junior album, I would’ve expected more risks, challenges and catchy vocals.

Seriously, if you really like pop-rock with some melodic verses and love “inspiring” lyrics, this may be the CD for you. As for alternative, emo, punk and hardcore rockers, maybe next time.

squazzol1@lasalle.edu