Spiritual Cramp : "Rude"

The second album from Spiritual Cramp finds them doing the most punk thing possibly and making fun of anarchy on the opening track which is more of an intro piece, before they get serious with "Go Back Home" which carries more of a Ramones like feel. Different than what they did last time, and it has to be an obvious tribute to the Ramones, given the backing vocals on this. This leaves "At My Funeral" as the first banger that shows you who this band really is. Lyrically catchy, with enough of a punk attitude to keep it legit, though it is hooky as hell. 

They are as playful as Vigara Boys, but more melodic with a more new wave-like sheen to the melody of "Automatic". "You've Got My Number" is a duet with Sharon Von Etten. It works off a more post-punk mood. Her vocals work well as a counterpoint." I Hate the Way"  is more punk, despite the album's best efforts for me to pin it down to a genre, which is why it seems to lean. "Violence in the Supermarket" has more of a dub feel.  The groove works well. They jangle their way into a more '90s feel with "True Love". They split the difference on "Crazy," and his croon takes them closer to the more arena-rocking sounds of "indie" like the Killers. But this still proves effective. 

"Young Offenders" has a more upbeat skip in its step. "New Religion" feels more original. It's a little more sullen. The last song, "People Don't Change," is introspective lyrically. It jangles on a similar path to what we have heard from this on this album. Overall, it's more polished from a songwriting perspective and perhaps less explosive than their last album, but it's a fun listen that hooks you in, rivalling the Viagra Boys. I will give this a 9.5 and see how it sits with me. 

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