Hulking and glacial, the riffs that move Spiritu's self-titled debut CD loom behind jagged vocals in typical "stoner-rock" fashion.
The album opens with a long, distorted note that suspends and gradually lands as a warm-sounding, circular riff, bits of rhythm gathering gradually underneath. This kind of slow build is a staple force behind the rest of the album.
On Spiritu, solid, sparse drumming, resonant guitar and bass and pissed-off lyrics combine to form a wash of sound that vibrates in the listeners chest cavity - if you're listening to it loudly enough.
With a compelling, southern-sounding drive, "Fat man in Thailand" is the strongest song on the album. On this track, almost Danzig-esque in its overall feel, the vocals are at their best.
Though the lyrics rarely deviate from what has become the norm for this style of music, much of what this album accomplishes is a throwback to the past - a time when plastic samples and ripped-off beats did not dominate mainstream rock.
This album may cause some serious nostalgia for those of you who spent your adolescence listening to Alice in Chains on the headphones you got for Christmas.
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More accurately, Spiritu's grainy sound, and extended, wandering instrumental sections are reminiscent of bands like Black Sabbath and Nebula. A Tool comparison, though ambitious, is not entirely out of the question.
Overall, Spiritu's debut is representative of some of the best rock in Albuquerque.
Spiritu's CD release party will be at the Launchpad this Friday, Aug. 30.
Mother, Pimpin' Gin and The Friendly are also on the bill.
