Despite repeated listens I can’t make my mind up about WHERE THE SPOKEN PLAY. They’re a frustrating bunch who hint at possessing some great ideas for guitar-based rock but clearly lack something to fully exploit them.
First of all there is a ragged charm about their playing that could, unkindly, be described as piss-poor in places but I’ll put that down to inexperience. Then there are the slightly manic, breathless vocals of the lead singer that could, unkindly, be described as off-key in places but I’ll put that down to emotional enthusiasm. Then there are the psychedelically tinged tunes that really do show great promise but suffer with a tendency to meander in places. It’s hard to identify by whom this 4-piece have been influenced, such is the variation both within and between songs. Sometimes I’m reminded of very early REM, particularly on second track ‘King’ but that could be a red herring when placed in the context of the other tracks.
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Once again it’s a situation where an experienced and sympathetic producer could uncover the truth and reveal how WHERE THE SPOKEN PLAY can gather up all the abundant plus points that this CD suggests and turn them into an act with the ability to turn countless heads in adoring bafflement.
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