SPiN - Believe

SPiN - Believe
2010, How About Now Records

Philly rockers SPiN return this week with a new, refined sound and fourteen dynamic tracks on their third release, Believe.  Over the course of the past few years SPiN tried out material on two EPs, SPiN and h-Factor, but makes the jump to a full length album with all of the gusto and a slightly more refined pop sensibility that is certain to see their collective fortunes rising.

Believe opens with the brief piano intro "Impromptu V.H2" before launching in the dark melodic rocker "Hurt By You".  The song is about heartbreak and the refusal to succumb to someone's hurtful actions.  This is a big change for SPiN, showing both a greater level of subtlety and a more streamlined sound than in the past.  Distinctive harmonies dot the melodic landscape in a dark anthem you won't soon get out of your head.  "Don't Look Down" is a highly catchy rock tune; a likely single and another track that will get stuck in your noggin and hang around for a while.  "Believe" is a rock n roll love song from an eternal cynic who’s found a bright light in one person.  There's a bar rock quality to this tune that's appealing but the song also has a hook that practically sings itself to you.

SPiN regroups on "Left Behind", a middle of the road power ballad, and "Over And Over", a solid album track.  Things get lively again on "Wake Up Girl", which sounds like it was written to a friend on the verge of walking away from a good relationship.  It's a musical wake-up call with a distinct melody and aurally pleasing arrangement.  "Shine" is culled from h-Factor.  We commented on the unintended similarities between "Shine" and Lonestar's "Amazed" in the chorus.  While that similarity hasn't been dispelled in this new version, the arrangement has been reworked significantly, giving the song more of a distinctive personality.  It's a great tune with more than a bit of muscle.

"After All" is an easy listening ballad with some interesting atmospherics on the edges.  It's a welcome change of pace that's melodically solid even if it seems a bit out-of-synch with the rest of the material on Believe.  "Ava" is a brilliant bit of songcraft; a song of regret with guitar work eerily reminiscent of Brian May.  There's an urgent feel to the song that's more subtle than it at first seems, and the melody is a keeper.  "Time To Let Go" is a melodic and driven song of sorrow and condolence with a vow of vengeance thrown in for good measure.  The song is stark in its combination of understanding, love and brutality and is equally moving and disturbing.  "Sorrow Girl" follows in a similar vein musically, throwing in outstanding vocal harmonies to buttress the melody line.  Guitar players out there will enjoy the breakdown, as Eric Rothenheber gets up to some serious six-string hijinx.  "End Of Our World" is a great album track, and would have been a great closing track under circumstances.  The guitar style and overall flow of the song might remind you of Glen Burtnik if you happen to be familiar with his music.  SPiN closes with a cover of The Zombies' "Time Of The Season", a reverent interpretation that is surprising and appealing.

SPiN always seem to come up with a bit of magic.  Believe is no exception, but this time SPiN has refined their songwriting and sound.  It's a commercial sound that doesn't scream sell out, but seems a natural progression from the past two albums (with perhaps a leap of faith thrown in).  The same edgy songwriting tendencies are there underneath, they've just been processed by time and lots of shows played together.  SPiN have chemistry as a band, and that connection shines through even on CD.  Success in music is always as dependent on luck as it is on talent (sometimes more so), but there's no doubting that SPiN is ready for prime time.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about SPiN at www.spinrocks.com or www.myspace.com/spinrocks.  Believe is available digitally from Amazon.com and iTunes.

Review: SPiN – h-Factor EP

SPiN – h-Factor EP
2009, SPiN

Philadelphia-based rockers SPiN made a big splash in 2008 with their debut release, SPiN EP, which FMQB termed as “easily one of the surprises of the year”. SPiN’s track Home rose to #7 on the FMQB charts and garnered SPiN national attention. The band, which traces back to the collaboration of vocalist Eric Rothenheber (E) and keyboardist Jim Vacca in high school. Guitarist Henry Cieplinksi and drummer Lou Chudnofsky quickly jumped on board and SPiN was born. SPiN takes the melodic rock tendencies of 1970’s heavyweights Styx or Queen while maintaining a modern edge that makes them highly appealing across several age demographics. SPiN returns in 2009 with the 3-song h-Factor EP, a brief but exciting step forward for a band that’s already evolving into a more dynamic sound.

h-Factor opens with Hurt By You, a mid-tempo big-rock tune that sounds like what you might get if you cross Styx with Bon Jovi. The song is eminently marketable and has the potential to be a real hit for the band. This is the sort of tune that, if it gets the right break, could rule airwaves for a summer. Left Behind is a honey-coated power ballad that shows off E’s big front man pipes; he sounds like he born to front a rock band. The comparison to Bon Jovi is particularly apropos when it comes to E, who could pass for him vocally at times; and the guitar work in this song is eerily reminiscent of Brian May in the solo. Now it’s one thing to recall other artists with a sound, but Shine, a great song in itself, may have some real similarity issues. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a well-written song, but once you get to the chorus you’ll be certain it was lifted note-for-note from Lonestar’s Amazed. The words are different, and there is some variation, but it’s so close that it will be noticed and commented on endlessly.

SPiN takes a step forward into a more lush, melodic Classic Rock sound updated for today. The songwriting and performance on the h-Factor EP is top-notch, although the uncanny resemblance of Shine to Lonestar’s Amazed may end up being a huge distraction for the band. SPiN continues to surprise, and h-Factor is likely to expand their fan base significantly.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about SPiN at http://www.spinrocks.com/ or www.myspace.com/spinrocks. A release date for h-Factor has yet to be announced. Keep checking SPiN’s website for additional information.