"burning the candle at both ends / am I a signal or a shipwreck..."
From the very onset, the massive heaviness of "Crumb" by Brooklyn based Book/Spirit is unfettered and, for the most part, unrelenting. I do absolutely love the dips into quiet reflection when the vocals come in, "it's alright, it's alright... it's alright, it's alright...", as it draws you in, lets us emotionally lean in before these huge distorted, discordant waves of sound push against our collective chests. This kind of song depends on the dark moody and fucking heavy atmospheres it creates, the swirl of sonic density around the anchoring bass and drums and like an amalgam of artists like The Drones (circa 2006), Smashing Pumpkins (circa 1995), METZ (circa 2022) and The Jesus Lizard (circa 1991) IT fully succeeds in a big artful way.
Book/Spirit formed in 2018 and is comprised of Michael Susa on vocals/guitar, Pete Ferrari on vocals/guitar, Garrett Troy on drums, Pierre Ratzki on guitar and Alejandro Zaniolo on bass.
LINER NOTES:
[“Crumb” was one of the first riffs Book/Spirit jammed on, and it evolved as it became a staple in the band’s live set. It features a hypnotic riff that has distinct desert rock vibes combined with heavy, wall-of-sound shoegaze guitars. Both of the band’s lead vocalists, Michael Susa and Pete Ferrari, trade off verses and choruses about isolation and burnout, which is complemented by their lyrically sparse approach. When the time came to record “Crumb” in the studio at GB’s Juke Joint in Long Island City, the band experimented and introduced new elements under the guidance of producer and engineer Colin Mohnacs. Ferrari recalls, “We were trying to come up with ways to introduce some variety into the 2nd verse, so I tapped into my hardcore and post-hardcore influences and added some screams, which was a lot of fun. I think Mike’s smooth delivery of “it’s all right” vs. my screamed vocal is actually representative of how we all try to self-sooth with positive, calming self-talk even though it may feel way differently in our heads”.]
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.youtube.com/@bookspiritband
https://www.instagram.com/bookspiritband
https://www.bookspiritband.com/
Book/Spirit is a five-piece Brooklyn based outfit that combines seemingly irreconcilable elements – straightforward rock riffs and atmospheric jam sections, catchy melodies with heavily distorted guitars – to create a sonically lush oeuvre. Book/Spirit traces their origins back to 2018 in Williamsburg, when ad-hoc jam sessions between friends created the foundation to build something dynamic and beautiful together. Drawing upon influences from indie, 90’s college & alternative rock, shoegaze, and noise rock, the band’s line-up features three guitarists who make heavy use of effects pedals (two of whom share lead vocal duties) and is anchored by bass and drums.
Book/Spirit is a five-piece Brooklyn based outfit that combines seemingly irreconcilable elements – straightforward rock riffs and atmospheric jam sections, catchy melodies with heavily distorted guitars – to create a sonically lush oeuvre. Book/Spirit traces their origins back to 2018 in Williamsburg, when ad-hoc jam sessions between friends created the foundation to build something dynamic and beautiful together. Drawing upon influences from indie, 90’s college & alternative rock, shoegaze, and noise rock, the band’s line-up features three guitarists who make heavy use of effects pedals (two of whom share lead vocal duties) and is anchored by bass and drums.
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