The Spongetones 40th – Power Pop Past & Present

Thanks to the good folks at Big Stir, The Spongetones’ 40th Anniversary show is now available for all to hear. Long time fans will dig this one, of course. But there’s more than one reason to pick this one up. There are brand new, studio tracks here, too. Those hoping for new music from the guys will find this particularly exciting.

Power Pop Faves Old & New

I had the good fortune to see a Spongetones concert or two a few years ago so, along with the vinyl recordings in my collection, I have a few songs I need to hear. The 40th anniversary set, now committed to CD for posterity, includes many of these power pop faves. There’s “Here We Go Again”, “Skinny”, “My Girl Maryanne”, “She Goes Out with Everybody” and “Oh Yeah!”. Most noteworthy, the guys sound great doin’ ’em. But the real payoff? That’s the new tracks.

“Help Me Janie” is one such song and an immediate winner. It’s up-tempo, catchy as Hell and really, really smart. Thematically, it deals with a conundrum many of us faced, albeit a long time ago. “Help Me Janie” sounds like a Jamie Hoover driven composition to me and if so, he absolutely nailed it. It’s one of my new faves and up there with the best in the band’s extensive catalog.

Similar can be said for “Honest Work”. The track absolutely slays me. It’s a hooky tune with an intelligent arrangement and a short, memorable chorus. In this way, it’s reminiscent of the Jamie & Steve EPs of a few years back. The song seems to be getting some traction on FM radio. I was listening to Garagetopia (on WRCT Pittsburgh, Fridays from 10PM to 1AM) a couple of days ago and heard “Honest Work” followed by a song I recently co-wrote (details for a future post). There are few things cooler than getting to hear your song back to back with your power pop heroes.

The final new track, “Lulu’s In Love” harkens back to the classic Spongetones of yesteryear with it’s pleasing melody and magnificent guitar jangle.

Where to Get The Spongetones’ New One

Whether you prefer to relive the old days or make brand new relationships with brand new tunes, The Spongetones 40th Anniversary Concert…And Beyond scratches that itch. Go out and get your copy at the Big Stir Records Bandcamp page. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED