A vacation scene is set. The clear blue waters of St. John the US Virgin Island coast easily under the bow of the spacious luxury boat you are being shuttled on. It’s warm out and you just may be wearing some sort of flowy shirt and a hat thats brim travels 360 degrees around your head. You’re sunned, you’re shaded, you’re enjoying the smoothly laid down tracks of a young quartet of fine musicians while a slow one burns by your side. Come to find out, that slow one will halt to a dull trudge once you realize the characteristics of an impostor oregano roll screaming “one toke over the line my friends.”
Wastin’ Time, Sprunge’s debut album, comes soaring out of the sky and finds you wherever you want to be. Transport your mind and your body to a jammed full week of no responsibilities and your best pals by your side. Based out of Boston, Mass, the boys in Sprunge, formerly of Uncle Moose, bring the hype, love, and good times to your ears with eight sizzling tracks. These guys laid it down for you to soak it all in.
A highly touted live act guaranteed to make your body move, the band pulls out all the stops on these recordings making you feel like they are right in front of you playing note for note. Playing a few shows with these guys I’ve got to witness firsthand the high level of stank faces and groovy chops that make you yell out “oooooh yeah!” A pleasure to share the stage with and enjoy from the crowd, Sprunge is that band you should get your keister to see.
First up to bat, St. John (U.S. Virgin Island), lays the tone and gets you in that sun-soaked mood. A catchy track with the ability to get you hooked and dialed in for the 47 minutes of pure smiles. An album highlight ‘Steppin’ in Puddles’ brings me back to the live performances and just how easily this song can get stuck in your head. Hear it once and you’ll be singing straight along with it the next time it rolls around. How’s that for a slap in the face. A classic song about a love gone wrong. Don’t worry, the horns come to the rescue with some tantalizing trumpet and saxophone solos that make you forget your troubles even for a little bit. Who wants to step in a puddle? No one, that’s for sure. Getting your shoes wet is just the way it feels to lose someone you cared about.
And if your shoes are wet just hock a loogie on the ground and remember that the next song on deck, Spit, will turn your troubles around. Skip to a minute ten to get really funky, but no really, listen to the whole song. In true jam band fashion, we have solos from all in the band, some dips and dives and the high notes that come out of nowhere to lift you back up. Put the joint down and move that body.
The mid-section of this album lends its ear to some good ole groove sessions and storytelling. Who wants to be a snake charmer? Clearly someone in the band and some of you out there I’m sure. The strung-out jams of this record make coolin’ it down feel so right. And just when you thought you were taking it real easy, the realization that its all in your mind appears. ‘Pico De Cuco’ opens the question of “what did that guy just sell me?” In most of our worst nightmares, a score gone wrong can and will hype no one up, but Sprunge makes the five minutes of oregano feel way more fun than it should be. Slow it down and roll a real one if ya got it because you should enjoy it even if these boys aren’t.
Pogwash was a man and he was a sad sad man. Incidentally his mother called him an ugly mother fucker. ‘Pogwash’ reigns as the longest jam and brings you the story of Pogwash, a child left behind. We’ve got intertwining grooves, harmonies, slamming drums, and a nine and half minute track is born full of flavor that may or may not burn your tongue. A live highlight for sure and one hell of an opportunity to get to know one of the unfortunate members of the band, but who knows, maybe its just a stage act. ‘Pogwash’ brings the heat and you should put it in your fireplace for keep safe until you bring him out again.
If you’re living alive you may be eating some early morning bacon on the go. Tune in and melt with the theatrics.
Ringing in as the shortest song on the album, though not a representation of the genius, ‘Popeyes Chicken’ ends this collection of songs with one hell of a slapper. My personal favorite track and one of the ones you know you’ll be singing to yourself mid class, work, or visit to the dentist office. Whose chicken is the chicken for you? That’s right, its Popeye’s and it’s the chicken for you and me baby. What could go wrong with a sing along about one of the worlds most beloved food group. Yes, chicken stands alone, and it is better fried. Get excited because you can listen to this song as many times as you want, and you’ll still be screaming along. I wouldn’t mind a half hour set of ‘Popeyes Chicken’ weaving itself in and out of some jams.
Sprunge’s debut album radiates the fun vibe these four guys give as they sing their catalog of seriously interesting stories to the crowd. Who knows where they recorded it and what equipment they used, but it sounds better than a toaster and the bass comes in solid so I’m happy. Cheers boy, and a job well done.
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