Posted on: August 14, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Spoken X – Wild Child / 2007 Metro / 13 Tracks / http://www.thespokenx.com /

The title track to “Wild Child” just exudes cool. From the spoken narrative that starts out the track (think the opening to “Shaft”) and the ropy, cop-drama bass line present, and an individual would have a good idea of what The Spoken X are trying to do with this album. Instead of just sticking with that one sound for the entirety of the track, an electronic influence pushes its’ way a number of times. The vocals provide the thread that is weaved through the entirety of “Wild Child”, and the band does well in linking earlier and more current styles into a cohesive and current track.

“Superstitions” is another track of notice on this already solid album. Instead of immediately starting out with a narrative set of vocals as was the case during “Wild Child”, The Spoken X adds a rough and tumble set of vocals that are reminiscent of “Girls Girls Girls”-era Motley Crue. This does not mean that this narrative, sometimes ranting, sometimes poetic narrative is removed from the mix. Rather, the narrative links together “Wild Child” and “Superstitions” into something similar to chapters in a box. While individuals can listen to a single track on “Wild Child” and get an appreciation for the band, one needs to listen to the entire “Wild Child” to get a full idea of what the members of The Spoken X are trying to do with the album, and how well they succeed at accomplishing those goals.

The guitar is the vocal element to “Superstitions”, and while it mainly relies on repetition to put its’ point home, it varies enough to allow the band to succeed during the track. “Altitude” is the final track that merits further discussion, although all of the songs on “Wild Child” are impressive in their own right. It is during this track that the band really allows the instrumentation to take on a formless, amorphous style. One can hear space, a Star Trek-type of instrumentation that, when added to the narrative of the track, sounds as if Carl Sagan ate some really good shrooms. The Spoken X goes forward with an album in “Wild Child” that is miles away from what is traditionally heard in rock music. Like Zappa and anyone that has changed rock music completely, The Spoken X make something new accessible to fans and other musicians alike. I have no doubt that this album will be one that will be present on many an aspiring musician’s bookshelf.

Top Tracks: Wild Child, Altitude

Rating: 7.4/10

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