The Spice Lads with Blunt Objects – Astounding Things
The Spice Lads with Blunt Objects – Astounding Things – EP Review
These trippers are back in action trippin’ out again eh? Right on!
As I fired up this latest collaboration between The Spice Lads and Blunt Objects and the opening track “Astounding Things” started up, I had to smile. Sometimes you just hear an absolute collage of sound and you have to wonder how things go any further than that, you know what I mean? As “Astounding Things” began, I felt like the most astounding thing about it was going to be how anyone would think there was any more room to do anything else with it! And yet here we are, and they did. You’ve got the completely off-the-wall ideas of Jim Waters (aka, The Spice Lads) in the music, the vocals and strangely amusing poetry of Bill Owens (aka, Blunt Objects), and the guidances/supervision of their cohort Matt Rendon (aka, Matt Rendon) combined to create what you’ll hear on the Astounding Things EP. As you’ll notice right from the drop of track one, they ain’t here to do things like everyone else does, that much is clear. Does knowing that make a song like “Astounding Things” any easier for the masses to digest? I’d have to assume the answer is no. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that without putting in at least two spins into the EP’s title-track, you’d probably feel like you’re having a flashback episode from your old LSD days and likely have no clue about which way is up if you were to only listen to this track the one time. The addition of Bill’s vocals does serve the song well to provide a tangible layer of structure that can be perceived by one and all, even if it does feel like he just chose a spot to start singin’ from on those first initial spins. It’s really not until about two minutes in or so that your ears will finally adjust to this tune as the music begins to spread out a little bit and give everyone a chance to appreciate that aspect of this first song…and the backing vocals will go on to provide a great assist in its accessibility down the road as well. All that being said, “Astounding Things” is like the audible equivalent of that breakfast you make where it includes everything you like all mashed up together to create one dish. It might not seem right, it might not even taste as good as everything would individually, but by the same token you can’t help but acknowledge you enjoy all that’s been included, so you still wolf it down and end up wanting more. “I can make the whole world laugh by singing such a silly song” is really the main statement you’ll find connects the strongest – as in, you can take this collaboration seriously if you want to; they still make their music on a professional level – but they don’t want to be taken too seriously either, you follow?
I’ve always found it interesting that with the tunes made by Blunt Objects, you can usually see some of the process at work, right in front of you if you’re paying close attention. I feel like most artists go into the studio with a plan, but in the moment, you’ll find things can certainly change or deviate from what you intended to do. You’ll see that in the lyrics that tend to get posted with the songs of Blunt Objects versus what you end up hearing, and more often than not, that finalized version we’re listening to reveals smart changes that have likely been made right then and there during the recording. Like, when Bill sings “I’m too old to see that happen” on “Hole In The Sky” for example. The original line in tandem was “too old to see that hole turn green” – but instead, we get “but my kids might” – and even though we only get one side of the story to judge from in what we’re listening to, you can easily hear how that would end up being a much better fit. I’m still a little at odds with what The Spice Lads are doing if I’m being entirely honest with ya…there’s part of me that digs the embrace of creative freedom, and there’s part of me that has to acknowledge it’s also an embrace of creative freedom with somewhat reckless abandon too. Where some folks will painstakingly ensure that every layer added to their music works with the other, Jim seems to adopt a strategy of more things is always a good thing…and I’m not entirely convinced everyone out there is gonna hear everything in the same kaleidoscopic that way he does. That being said, when things line up to give us a clearer glimpse, like the instrumental break around the 2:30 mark in “Hole In The Sky” for example, you’ll appreciate how he’s able to transition into a smoother design anytime he chooses to. It just so happens that Jim likes a whole lot of things goin’ on at the same time usually, and all I can say to that is have at’er hoss, you do you. I’ve got no personal objections to anything I’m hearing, I’m into it & tend to like a lot of things in the mix myself too – so believe Jim, I’m onboard, and I’m equally positive you’ve already heard comments like mine about how much soup is in the pot, so I’ll leave it at that. Arguably “Astounding Things” had even more going on in that regard and I feel like I’m still a bit more partial to that tune than I would be to “Hole In The Sky,” so there’s that – but I’d also reckon that if you enjoyed the opening track, you’d have no problem with this one either. You can hear there’s more of a serious demeanor to “Hole In The Sky,” and that works in their favor too.
On “Chosen,” they enter into life as “an artist in a world full of critics” – and that’s heckin’ RIGHT, if you’re on my playlist, then you betcha, I’ve got an opinion or two to share! Which is probably the funniest part of my life on a personal level, because I’d be the first to tell ya that most of us critics are the cockroaches of the universe and do what we do because we can’t do what YOU do. I try to compensate by actually listening and writing, instead of just copying and pasting like my “peers” do. I am a big fan of this particular track…and I feel like this is the strongest cut of the first three. What I really love about it is that no one here is compromising. Jim is still doin’ what he does and including the kitchen sink into the mix – BUT – he’s also given this track a bit more room to breathe in terms of the space. It counts for a ton in terms of what’ll make things more accessible to the audience out there. I love the fact that his sound selection is as unique as ever…I mean, heck, “Chosen” is comprised of a whole plethora of elements you’d never think would be able to make an actual song if you looked at it all on paper…but with the extra space in the layers and bizarreness we experience, I feel like we get the opportunity to appreciate The Spice Lads contribution that much more. As far as Bill and Blunt Objects are concerned, I think this is one of the best I’ve ever seen penned from him on a lyrical level, and I really think he does a stellar job in singing it too. The words are brilliantly insightful, and grounded in a way that you rarely ever see from any artist out there, and I feel like the way he created the melody for the main hook of the chorus ended up making that moment truly memorable as well. So you end up with this like…fusion of genuine art and serious substance all-around from the music to the microphone, and one of the most undeniably excellent songs we’ve heard from this collaboration to-date on “Chosen.”
Again, even though I might personally dig a more jam-packed cut like the title-track of this record, I can certainly recognize that both “Chosen” and the final song “Nothing Worth Repeating” are quite likely going to be universally considered as the most accessible when it comes to the general consensus of listening ears out there, which is all a result of the extra space that exists. Those of ya that have ever had your training in composition or the musical arts know full well that the inclusion of space can be one of the most important & key ingredients you’ll find in any given tune, and I feel like that’s a crucial part of what makes “Nothing Worth Repeating” work as cleverly as it does. In fact, you could argue that The Spice Lads and Blunt Objects have included space in a couple of different ways! Not only is there more room inside the music, but you’ll also find a wealth of space-like sounds at the core of this track as well. It’s a track where you’ll find Jim is working real magic and carrying the team a little more in this finale. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always a fan of what Bill has to say through his music, but you could also argue that “Nothing Worth Repeating” draws a lot from what he tends to typically say, which has its own level of irony when you think about it, but also highlights the opportunity he has to tailor his lyrics more towards what the sound of a song present him with. I’m not necessarily saying that he’d have to go with some kind of otherworldly theme to suit the music of “Nothing Worth Repeating” – but the opportunity is definitely there for him in a sound like this to explore other options than what you might consider to be his normal niche & themes he tends to write about – make sense? We’ve all got the gear we slip into easily…but in terms of longevity and challenging yourself to really craft material that’s cohesive on every level, you’ll find some of the biggest rewards exist when we find a way to thrive outside our element and natural tendencies…that’s where the uniqueness of art can be found & real differences can be made from record to record. Don’t get me wrong – I definitely dig the vibe, sound, style, and performances you’ll find on “Nothing Worth Repeating” – and hell, I personally connect very deeply with the concept that Bill’s working with – all I’m doing is shining a light on new opportunities for the craft where they exist like I always do. Take it or leave it, I’m just a critic and I’m always the first to say I shouldn’t be listened to for advice of any kind, be it the art of making music, or simply how to feed your cat on any given Wednesday. “Maturity is overrated” anyhow, as Bill would tell ya himself…and I consider myself to be professionally unprofessional as they come…so remember to take anything I say with a grain of salt dear readers, dear friends – but rest assured, I do still dig what I hear in this creative collaboration and how different it is from anything else that’s out there.
Find out more about Blunt Objects from the official website at: https://bluntobjects.bandzoogle.com
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