SPINAL TAP – BACK FROM THE DEAD
Spinal Tap – when too much heavy metal is never enough. Back From the Dead is not a new album, rather a revisiting of old friends with five new buddies, including finally recording Jazz Oddyssey for the first time (and splitting into three digestible parts). By now we are all in on the gag, and it’s the 25th anniversary of This Is Spinal Tap, hence the reunion, re-recording and tour (yes they are playing Glastonbury). In total the songs stand both the test of time, and more importantly, they still tippy-toe along the line between parody and rock’n’roll like a ballerina negotiating a miniature sized set of Stonehenge (occasionally something is bound to get broken). Of those re-treatment Sex Farm stands out, given the George Clinton treatment it is now a brass-driven, funked-up boogie and all the better for it. But for the most part the renditions play true to their origins, albeit with improved recordings and playing, the ol’ favorites like Hell Hole and of course Big Bottom just play the original joke for all it’s worth. Of course it’s not fresh, we have lived with these guys for 25 years, turning it to 11 is an industry standard now, but it’s still fun, and there is still someone you need to introduce to the joys of Spinal Tap.
*** 1/2
