Starting a punk album with a dub reggae beat says a lot: Aside from simply nodding to the long-standing political and sonic relationships between the two musical worlds, it immediately says this band cares a lot about sound. Sound itself.
The self-titled debut album from Spiritual Cramp does just that. And the sound? Oh, it’s good, kicking off with a high-energy fist-pumping and sweat-thrashing opening track, and then riding on through a half hour of fiery pop punk anthems. The Killers come to mind, or maybe even a little Katy Perry. Not in a bad way. The sound itself is massive and gritty like something you’d find on a hardcore tape, but the melodies and harmonies are shouted clear and catchy as an FM dial earworm. One of the first releases on New York indie label Blue Grape Music, Spiritual Cramp delivers a fizzing good time.
