SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SPIN DOCTORS – FACE FULL OF CAKE

SPIN DOCTORS
FACE FULL OF CAKE
CAPITOL RECORDS

Chances are, if you grew up in the ‘90s, you heard the infectiously charming “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” on the radio. They were inescapable. The massive success of these songs put Spin Doctors on the map and helped cement their status as ’90s alt-rock icons. Their newest album, Face Full Of Cake, is their first record in over a decade, and although it might not be as good as some of their earlier work, fans will still really like it.

Spin Doctors go in an exciting direction with Face Full Of Cake. If you only know their top hits, like “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues”, “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong”, “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues”, and “You Let Your Heart Go Too Fast”, then Face Full Of Cake might surprise you with how heavy it gets. Chris Barron’s riveting vocals, gritty fuzzed-out guitar riffs, an intense ‘in-your-face’ energy, and fiercely commanding drumming make “Still A Gorilla” a thunderously noisy and intoxicatingly thrilling time. I highly doubt anyone thought Spin Doctors would release a headbanging garage rock style song this year. The ear candy chorus is also one of the best in their discography. They go all out for this electrifying song. “She Stands Alone” is an explosively hard rocking tune. It has some great hooks, high-octane energy, and a wicked guitar solo. Similarly, “I’m The Man (You Got)” is another energetic rock song that delivers the goods, with the high-intensity guitar riffs being the main highlight.

Other highlights include “Double Parked”, “I Liked You Better When Your Butt Was Big”, and “The Buddha On The Lawn”. “Double Parked” is as funky and groovy as some of their biggest hits. Plus, it showcases their jamming sensibilities extremely well too. With “I Liked You Better When Your Butt Was Big”, the band shows off their trademark wit. This silly song is very witty and is bound to make fans chuckle and smile. “The Buddha On The Lawn” is a relaxing bluesy western rock song that feels like it could have been released in the ‘70s.

Overall, longtime fans of Spin Doctor will thoroughly enjoy Face Full Of Cake.

SPILL FEATURE: DON’T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY – A CONVERSATION WITH ERIC SCHENKMAN OF SPIN DOCTORS

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