Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Think Fast Records
Think Fast Records
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 




Reviews

Street Dogs - State of Grace
Register to Vote: Rock the Vote, powered by Credo Mobile

Spitalfield

Better Than Knowing Where You Are
2006
Victory

Spitalfield - Better Than Knowing Where You Are (Cover Artwork)


Review by: crazytoledo
See others by this writer



Only registered users
can post comments

Print this Review Send this Review to a Friend
Victory Records (Logo)

Published on October 10th 2006

Spitalfield broke through more or less with the energetic and charismatic Remember Right Now. The album was filled with hooks and was a rather fun and catchy pop-punk release. They followed it up with Stop Doing Bad Things, which traded in the charm and fun for a matured, indie approach to the pop-punk sound. On Better Than Knowing Where You Are, Spitalfield take the few aspects that worked on their previous release and mix in some of the hooks of their debut, while still progressing as musicians with stronger song structures and better musicianship.

"The Only Thing that Matters" showcases a strong start loaded with an upbeat, mature rock opening that gives way to an extremely catchy chorus. "On the Floor" shows that Spitalfield has finally gotten it all together, as the played out and monotonous sound of Stop Doing Bad Things has been completely re-worked and fails to shun their older pop-punk influences as often here. "Secrets in Mirrors" comes out pumping with an anthem-inducing drum line and gives way to some solid riffing, atmospheric verses, and a well written and memorable chorus that ties it all together.

"Hold On" is the best example that Spitalfield have improved as a musical unit since Stop Doing Bad Things. A majority of the time, when bands like these slow it down they lose everything that makes them special. However, Spitalfield finally have the talent to craft a slow song that won’t lull the listener to sleep. "Lasting First Impression" is a gritty pop-punk song that will lodge itself into your brain and get your foot tapping along with the music; it's basically a summary of all the aspects that make up Better Than Knowing Where You Are and is a fine way to close the album.

Spitalfield established a solid fan base with their Victory debut and alienated some of their fans with the approach on Stop Doing Bad Things. On Better Than Knowing Where You Are they improved heavily off of Stop Doing Bad Things while bringing back some of their influences from their earlier days. The result is an entirely impressive album that is as good musically as it is catchy.



People who liked this also liked:
Latterman - ...We Are Still AliveSinking Ships - DisconnectingThis Is Hell - SundowningThe Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartThursday - A City by the Light DividedProtest the Hero - KeziaNo Trigger - CanyoneerAction Action - An Army of Shapes Between WarsFranky Lee - Cutting EdgeDarkest Hour - Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation



Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

    Posted by xartaficial_romance on 2007-11-20 14:30:12
    My Score:

    to bad they had to breakup...

    Posted by Punky_Chips_Ahoy_Oi_Oi_Oi on 2006-10-12 17:13:27
    My Score:

    Spitalfield has a new CD out. Kid's across America are cleaning the lenses on their plastic glasses, putting on their cardigan sweaters, and hopping in their VW's for a trip to the local Best Buy.

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-10-12 10:31:46

    It only sold around 2800 album for its first week.

    If only Victory pushed this like they do for Aiden.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 12, 2006 at 12:39 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is one of favorite of the year. I hope this album takes off for them.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 8:23 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    xScottHeiselCorex

    Posted by onegirlarmy on 2006-10-10 19:54:11
    My Score:

    This is a great album. I don't see personally how people can feel Remember Right Now was their best release. Granted, I liked that record a lot when it came out and it was what made me like Spitalfield, but the last record and now this one show drastic improvement in songwriting and even music skill, especially since Spitalfield plays in a genre where most bands don't bother even trying to "progress". RRN is a good album for what it is, but this and the last record I think are far and away better. Even if they do play what is considered "radio rock", its not like they're huge or anything. From what I've seen, they barely get any promotion at all.

    Posted by Kursk on 2006-10-10 19:08:59

    Remember Right Now was a terrible album, Stop Doing Bad Things I actually really liked, I didn't know they had a new album out, hopefully it's as good as the review has led me to believe.

    Posted by Scruffy on 2006-10-10 18:54:58

    "crazytoledo sold his soul to Victory,damn! what the hell happened!"

    crazytoledo is actually far more critical of Victory now than he used to be. It just so happens that this CD doesn't suck.

    Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2006-10-10 18:24:21

    I gave up on this band after their last release, but I might have to check this out now.

    Posted by WainscottRockCity on 2006-10-10 17:11:56
    My Score:

    More like Spittle-field

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 4:06 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I thought this band sucked before this release.

    Posted by Oskurt_Redwall on 2006-10-10 15:06:10
    My Score:

    I like this band a lot and I am hugely disappointed in this effort. Some really horrific radio-rock-schlock tracksI have to skip over every time. Damn. What happened?

    Posted by chickswithdicks on 2006-10-10 14:35:01
    My Score:

    fuck off

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-10-10 13:07:52

    crazytoledo sold his soul to Victory,damn! what the hell happened!

    Umm, just to let you know, I gave low scores to 3 out of my last 4 Victory Reviews (this being the exception) and I don't see any of the 4 releases coming out on the 31st that I haven't reviewed yet getting any better scores.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 12:32 PM (EDT)

    Reminds me of Anberlin

    Posted by HeresLookinAtYou on 2006-10-10 12:29:32
    My Score:

    this is actually rather enjoyable

    Posted by Snakes on 2006-10-10 12:27:18

    crazytoledo sold his soul to Victory,damn! what the hell happened!

    Posted by dusticles on 2006-10-10 12:13:16

    remember right now is still the best thing spitalfield has put out.

    p.s. im seeing these guys on thursday in a record store. should be cool

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 3:04 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I think this is their best effort to date. Nice review.

    Posted by almostpunkenough on 2006-10-10 01:48:22
    My Score:

    the first 'toledo review i've ever completely agreed with.

    i really like this album a lot.

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2006-10-10 00:21:52
    My Score:

    And I'm being generous.

    Posted by Scruffy on 2006-10-10 00:21:52

    I've never liked Spitalfield before, but I almost bought this CD based on what I heard. It's not bad. There are some really interesting musical parts, and it borders on JEW in parts.

    Posted by BrendanKelly on 2006-10-10 00:21:36

    yay! two toledo reviews!

    © 1999-2006 Punknews.org • Terms of Use • Privacy • FAQ • About • ISSN 1710-5366 • RSS RSS Icon