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This is Spinal Tap (1984) - Spinal Tap

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There are classic records, and then there is This is Spinal Tap. No record so successfully covers the range of genres while maintaining that ecstatic headbanging fervor. It even sounds incredible on the 20-year-old cassette tape I made from the LP back then.

We do have those lighter moments reflecting back to their hippie days with "Listen to What the Flower People Say" and the even earlier 60s tune "Cups and Cakes," which they recorded as the Thamesmen. "Cups and Cakes" itself was such an influential song it must have been the inspiration for the 1971 mega-world hit "Toast and Marmalade for Tea" by Tin Tin.

But the core of this amazing record is the metal - both the fast and furious ("Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight") and the leaden ("Heavy Duty"). Spinal Tap's amazing song-writing legerdemain manages to be original while paying tribute to Yes and Styx in "Rock and Roll Creation." Plus the styling of the backing vocals when they sing "rock and roll crea-SHUN" is a joy to hear. Then there's the Jethro Tull-influenced "Stonehenge" with the catchy "Where the demons dwell and the banshees live and they do live well." What a line!

I could write a book on how awesome this record is, but I will leave with a final nod to the heavy classic "Big Bottom." Although it saddens me to know that the brainy iconic David St. Hubbins would never go for me me since I don't have one. Never have. Never will. Big top maybe, but no Big Bottom. But then somehow the line "How could I leave this top" just doesn't have the same ring to it as "How could I leave this behind." Oh, well. I think Nigel's cuter anyway and at least he had the brilliance to insist on having those amps built that go to 11.

-- May 16, 2005 (DD)

Spinal Tap - This is Spinal Tap Original Album Tracks

Hell Hole Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight Heavy Duty Rock and Roll Creation America Cups and Cakes Big Bottom Sex Farm Stonehenge Gimme Some Money (Listen to the) Flower People Bonus tracks on some editions: Christmas with the Devil Christmas with the Devil (Scratch Mix)

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More Spinal Tap

• Spinal Tap - This Is Spinal Tap [The Movie] (1984)
  Movie Commentary
• Spinal Tap - Back from the Dead (2009)
  Album Info, Special Edition Photos

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