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Spectrum
Breathing Space Too
Volcano/ Aztec
Last year, Mike Rudd made the promise that in lieu of a full length CD, Spectrum would release a number of EPs of new material under the collective title of ‘Breathing Space’. The first volume was good but perhaps a little too smooth and if not exactly humourless, the wit was a bit obvious in a double entendre kind of way.
Now, with ‘Breathing Space Too’, the quirkiness in words and music makes a welcome return, mixed with the brooding kind of lyrics Rudd has been known for, especially on the final track Meanstreak. While no direct comparisons can be made with their classic ‘Milesago’ album, there is thankfully still something essentially Spectrum-like about this EP.
While all seven tracks are new recordings, some of the material dates back to the Eighties, such as the amusingly bizarre Sensible Shoes and the post-modernism of Silicon Valley. The opening track Xavier Rudd Is Not My Son is far more recent, and has the trademark harmonica work and wry personal observations - it could be a modern Spectrum standard, I suspect.
The line-up of Rudd, Bill Putt, Daryl Roberts and Peter “Robbo” Robertson has been around for several years now, which would explain the excellence of the playing and the way it easily gels together. A few guests flesh out the sound a bit, including Jimmy Sloggett’s jazzy sax on Hotels Motels, and the cover art is as clever as one would expect from Ian McCausland, who has done a lot of work for the band over the years.
After all this time, it’s nice to know Spectrum is still around and recording. This EP gives plenty of reason to suspect their race is far from run, and it will be interesting to see what direction the next Breathing Space instalment takes.
Michael Hunter
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