Spoken

Spoken: A Moment Of Imperfect ClarityA Moment Of Imperfect Clarity (2003)
Tooth & Nail Records

Reviewer Rating: 1.5

Contributed by: maverickScott
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on September 2nd 2003Take the most bland song the Used ever wrote and combine it with most anything off the new AFI album. Add in a vocalist who cops the vocal stylings [and weaknesses] of both Bert McCrackin and Davey Havok. Oh yeah, don't forget the Christianity thing. This is just an absolutely boring, sense.

Take the most bland song the Used ever wrote and combine it with most anything off the new AFI album.

Add in a vocalist who cops the vocal stylings [and weaknesses] of both Bert McCrackin and Davey Havok.

Oh yeah, don't forget the Christianity thing.

This is just an absolutely boring, senseless, faceless excuse for music. Tooth & Nail's marketing plan of "sign a bunch of bands from every genre and throw them at a crowd and see what sticks" really isn't working. Quality over quantity, people. This band definitely has none of the former, and hopefully won't have a high number of the latter for records sold.

Completely forgettable.

MP3
Promise

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

flowerfeeder (January 27, 2008)

This album is totally bland and pointless as mentioned below.

HOWEVER...the song 'Promise' has one of the best choruses I have ever heard in my life. I gave the record a 5 for that chorus alone.

My friend gave me his copy of this record for free. I imported that one song into my iTunes library and then threw the cd in the garbage.

dingy (July 23, 2006)

That rating is for the review, the album should get 4 stars.
That is the shortest review I have ever read. My 5 year old brother could write a longer review. Your ripping on them because they're christian? That is lame. At least they have a view of life and don't sing about girls.

Anonymous (April 21, 2006)

Matt Baird has a much stronger voice than both Bert McCrackin and Davey Havok COMBINED.. hell, stronger than Zack de la Rocha from "rage.." this guy hasn't been to a good spoken show lately (or even a good show period, lateley)

Anonymous (April 20, 2006)

You must not have listened to it that good. cause spoken rocks. and just in case you didn't know Tooth & Nail is a CHRISTIAN label!

Anonymous (March 26, 2006)

First off let me say, your wrong on every line you wrote, and I never listened to The Used or any other sucky bands of that nature. When I was first intorduced to Spoken back in the day, there was no word or news about The Used, and AFI that I've heard of. There was just Spoken, so they are copying vocalist Matt of Spoken, and as far the whole christianity thing; it's good to listen to a band for once that has something to say instead of the load of crap the other bands produce. Just saw Spoken Live lastnight and they were amazing. What kind of music critic are you.

maverick (January 13, 2006)

Haha, I just got verbally abused because of this review, two and a half years later!

MATT HUBLEY (8:29:16 PM): i do believe you are the most worthless piece of retarded shit i have ever had the sad displeasure of knowing exists. Just the thought that you breath the same oxygen i do makes me want to renounce my very humanity... spoken is the greatest band our world has ever witnessed and if you dont hink so you can go die
toko2000 (8:29:35 PM): haha, awesome!
MATT HUBLEY (8:29:49 PM): no prob
toko2000 (8:29:52 PM): that doesn't sound very christian of you, dude.
MATT HUBLEY (8:29:59 PM): well i really like spoken
MATT HUBLEY (8:30:09 PM): god will forgive me
toko2000 (8:30:14 PM): hahahahaha, wow.
toko2000 (8:30:22 PM): if you say so, dude.
toko2000 (8:30:37 PM): i didn't know the big guy endorsed violence.
toko2000 (8:30:44 PM): but i haven't read the newest edition of the bible.
MATT HUBLEY (8:31:22 PM): yeah well he did wipe out soddom and gomorrah .............sorry for the intrusion thanx for being cool about it i just had to vent

Absolutely amazing, don't you think?

-Scott

Anonymous (June 5, 2005)

Spoken is a great band and what ever this dude is thinking by trying to down play them I am not sure.

Anonymous (May 5, 2005)

Spoken is a great band! I feel this review has done them injustice, I feel that Tooth and Nail made a wise choice signing them on.

I can't wait for their new album to come out in Aug. 30th

Anonymous (March 12, 2005)

You make me want to gag myself with a spoon. No, wait. You've already made me puke.

Anonymous (January 23, 2005)

i think the person who reviewed this is a dick and obviously knows nothing about music.

the used? AFI??? what the hell...

fuckin gay.

Anonymous (January 15, 2005)

Spoken has been around alot longer that the Used and probably longer than AFI. This review is funny because it is punk rock to a t. Fake and hateful.

Anonymous (January 13, 2005)

[Great album... horrible and completely thoughtless review.
To see a real review click on the link.
http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/AMomentOfImperfectCl arity .asp]

I very much agree. This is the most jaded, intolerant and pure garbage review that I have read on this site. On the other hand, I've come to expect such reviews of "Christian" bands from the close minded few at PunkNews.org

Anonymous (December 7, 2004)

with the exeption of some weak lyrics - like four or five lines for a 5 minuite song - this cd is one of the best things t&n has put out in a long time. The guy's voice is just so kick- ass. And how dare you make his vocal similarity to AFI and Bert McCrackin sound like a weakness. Bert is a musical insperation to punk bands everywhere, and to call his vocal stylings a weakness . . . well that just proves that you're a stupid shit that doesn't know the first thing about music. YOU SUCK!!!!

ihavechappedlips (June 9, 2004)

Great album... horrible and completely thoughtless review.
To see a real review click on the link.
http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/AMomentOfImperf ectClarity.asp

tessa (May 23, 2004)

I totally respect your opinion. Listening to them I have realized that they have a very awkward resemblence to AFI, which doesnt displease me although it makes me laugh. Spoken has turned away from its rap rock influence, and it seems that they want to turn away from the Rage Against the Machine sound that they were sporting. Maybe they cant think of their own sound, but also they could be offering an alternative for Christian kids, which my friend you should not knock, because the best of us love you for who you are. I think that they have a lot of potential, and until you have seen them in concert and see what they have to show you shouldn't judge them. I believe that they are some of the most sincere people in the music industry, and even if you dont like their music, it would be easy to talk to them. Also they put on a great show. Thanks for helping me think. Tessa

maverick (November 13, 2003)

Here's another:

From: "Misty Borkowski"
To: scott@punknews.org
Subject: ###### up review

That review on Spoken was a bunch of Bull @$$@
you don't know what the hell you are talking about.
i may be a christian but that is and you deserve some
telling off. you shouldn't write reviews when you don't
know squat about what you are talking about!!!!!
Sincerly,
Misty

-Scott

maverick (November 13, 2003)

Here's an email I received about this review I wrote:

From: "Jay Stuetelberg"
To:
Subject: spoken review u suck

you suck for your sucky review of Spoken will be a new change in music for the better! never crap on the band spoken or i will have to come and hunt you down thank you
jay
omaha

-Scott

Anonymous (September 28, 2003)

You are so wrong!!!. This band is great no matter what lousy comment you make!!!I love them!
They are a great band with talent....your reviews are dumb....mediocre band?....come on..so what if they sing about God, as someone else commented, you don't have to listen to them, and youR VIEW ON cHRISTIANITY IS INCORRECT!!

Anonymous (September 26, 2003)

am i the only one that likes this band? i just got the album and i think its amazing! the singers voice is crazy

MikeRiot (September 8, 2003)

Stretch Arm Strong is not a christian band. They even claimed so on the old site. and go pick up Engage because its awesome.

jaynumber13 (September 8, 2003)

But why do you think it's wrong for them to sing praise songs? Give reasons. Don't just say stuff out of the blue.

Anonymous (September 7, 2003)

"Nice broad brush you paint Christians with. You are guilty of the same the thing you accuse Christians of...amazing!

Some of the comments on here make me really wonder how far the punk attitude has gone, if at all. Does it matter that much to you if a Christian band sings praise songs? Is it offensive? Too bad. Just don't listen to it if it bothers you, but don't say they shouldn't do it. It smacks horrbily of censorship."

I think its wrong for them to sing praise songs. Think with your own minds people. They will find their niche, but I don't think its here.

Anonymous (September 7, 2003)

I think they sound pretty good! Are we listening to the same thing?

jaynumber13 (September 6, 2003)

Nice broad brush you paint Christians with. You are guilty of the same the thing you accuse Christians of...amazing!

Some of the comments on here make me really wonder how far the punk attitude has gone, if at all. Does it matter that much to you if a Christian band sings praise songs? Is it offensive? Too bad. Just don't listen to it if it bothers you, but don't say they shouldn't do it. It smacks horrbily of censorship.

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

exactly. thats what the whole friggin problem is. they go around saying i'm so great and you're a heathen! they dont even understand what they believe. not all tho, just most.

FortyMinutesWest (September 5, 2003)

Most christians don't get what christianity is.

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

You guys have no idea what Christianity is. And don't bother responding in a stupid mocking sarcastic way. You really don't have any idea, and neither does 90% of America.

That would also explain why you don't get praise and worship bands.

The human race is seriously hilarious.

adamsocial (September 4, 2003)

The Code has Christian members, but are certainly not singing about JC and the boys.

Anonymous (September 4, 2003)

dont drink the hateraid.
Hate, Jesus

Anonymous (September 4, 2003)

All i know is that Callibretto kicks ass.

Renuk (September 4, 2003)

spoken has been around longer then most of the bands out there.

aubin (September 3, 2003)

You're correct Scott; I don't have the record yet, so I'm just speaking generally.

maverick (September 3, 2003)

Aubin-

You make good points, but just so you know, the word "God" [or synonyms] is used in song lyrics numerous times. This band is definitely a Christian band, not a band with Christian members[i.e. Further Seems Forever].

-Scott

aubin (September 3, 2003)

Can we draw a distinction between bands which have christian members and bands that preach?

There is a big difference and there is nothing wrong with the former, and a lot wrong with the latter.

For the record, if a band has christian members (like a good chunk of Tooth and Nail) it really doesn't bother me at all. Even worrying about people's private lives seems more like an MTV thing than a punk thing.

I find religious music uncomfortable though, since it seems like a subversive attempt to convert kids.

toma (September 3, 2003)

There is nothing wrong with Christian bands, in my eyes. The problem arises when the band goes from Christian band to Christian Worship band. Writing every song about the glory of God or whathaveyou gets rather old rather fast. One of the reasons I love Pedro The Lion so much is that David Bazan questions his faith with every release he puts out. It's not just blind praise, it's honest views about his faith.

exactly. that's why i like five iron frenzy, they're like the only christian band i listen to anymore.

Anonymous (September 3, 2003)

I'm not sensing a whole lot of Stryper luv...

GreenVandal (September 3, 2003)

Kind of like a certain album pertaining to safety, and how its a illusion.

Dont forget them.

And Rituals of life era Stretch Armstrong is fucking crazy, but I have heard bad things about there new CD, and Revolution Transmission was mediocre at best.

Oh well, rock on jesus lovers!

maverick (September 3, 2003)

Mineral was Christian, and they were amazing.

Pedro The Lion is Christian, and they are amazing.

There is nothing wrong with Christian bands, in my eyes. The problem arises when the band goes from Christian band to Christian Worship band. Writing every song about the glory of God or whathaveyou gets rather old rather fast. One of the reasons I love Pedro The Lion so much is that David Bazan questions his faith with every release he puts out. It's not just blind praise, it's honest views about his faith.

-Scott

Anonymous (September 3, 2003)

Isn't The Code christian? If so, there's a christian band that doesn't suck.

Anonymous (September 3, 2003)

"Stretch Arm Strong is the only Christian band I like."

What about Beloved????

Leandro (September 3, 2003)

Am I the only person who likes the new AFI album?

FortyMinutesWest (September 2, 2003)

Jesus is not amused.