Spins: Spinal Tap • The End Continues
Spinal Tap
The End Continues
(Interscope/Universal)
Fictitious metal icons Spinal Tap transcend genre. Practically any band covered in Illinois Entertainer likely has a tale of a “Spinal Tap mishap,” and most readers of a specific age range can surely quote the 1984 mockumentary’s satirical script, whether they prefer Taylor Swift, Deltron 3030, or AC/DC. The End Continues goes to 11 and beyond with 13 tracks recorded for the sequel film Spinal Tap II. A handful of the Tap’s greatest hits reappear in retooled arrangements featuring marquee guests. Paul McCartney sings the baroque British pop of “Cups and Cakes.” Sir Elton John commits to the bit with symphonic flair on the hippie-psych-pop anthem “(Listen to the) Flower People” and wry prog-rock anthem “Stonehenge.” Country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood clearly have a ball singing together on the cheeky “Big Bottom.”
New material, including Harry “Derek Smalls” Shearer’s “The Devil’s Just Not Getting Old” and “Rockin’ in the Urn,” reflects the Tap’s passage into the AARP set, 41 years following This is Spinal Tap. “Nothing rocked my world so much as kissin’ a real live girl,” sings Smalls in “I Kissed a Girl.” Katy Perry, this ain’t. The “lukewarm water” bassist’s dubious flex considers that the experience may have topped any tryst shared with a mannequin. Michael “Derek St. Hubbins” McKean offers riff-rocker “Blood to Let” about a working man ready to blow off steam in the off hours. Reunion song “Let’s Just Rock Again” is an anthemic rocker with a synthesizer lead reminiscent of Europe’s “The Final Countdown” and a piercing guitar solo by Christopher “Nigel Tufnel” Guest. “Angels” is a power ballad gliding atop florid piano and strings. The song bucks the band’s comical image with a tender sentiment about finding comfort among favorite songs and stories. St. Hubbins abandons the trappings of metal altogether for the new wave synth-funk of “Judge and Jury,” during which the singer casts judgment on an unfaithful lover. “I’ll see you in my chambers, and I’ll process your appeal,” he sings with practiced innuendo. The End Continues doesn’t measure up to Spinal Tap’s indelible 1984 soundtrack, but it’s still clever satire, wicked fun, and a welcome return. The cover photo homage to Crosby, Stills & Nash’s 1969 debut album is a nice touch, too. (spinaltap.com)
– Jeff Elbel
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