Album Review – Deep Under Part Time’s New Spell #6

Part Time’s sixth studio album “Spell #6” is an ambitious follow up to the 20-track “Virgos Maze.” “Spell #6,” released November 2 on Burger Records. “Spell #6” takes a different direction by exploring new territory in contrast to past albums. Produced by David Loca and engineered by Wally Byers/David Loca, the Lo-Fi/NuWave/Pop band’s “Spell #6” delivers a bigger, cleaner sound that strays away from their traditional lo-fi recordings. 

Hailing from El Paso, Texas David Loca’s musical genius has always been on a constant evolution. Loca’s unending need for perfection drives him to constantly re-imagine his art. Spending many years on the West Coast had a big influence in his song composition. Prior Loca bands include Electric Funeral, Toko Ri Get High, and The Dazzling King Solomon Band.

Part Time’s Robert Dozal’s synth arrangements gives the band their distinguishable sound. Dozal’s past projects include the high energy, Dozal Brothers and is a member of El Paso’s post-punk band Slurr. 

Bassist Tony Leal who crafted his skills by playing in old school punk bands, Sicteens, Chinese Love Beads, and Wednesday continues to deliver melodic bass lines which is the driving force behind the band. Wally Byers relentless, metronome drumming keeps the band syncopated from straying off beat. Byers’ previous projects include States & Another and Love & Company. Byers the engineer on the current Part Time album has also engineered Cigarettes After Sex’s first album that was partially worked on his Donatello Studio.

Spell #6 is a ride down heartbreak alley 

“Before You Fall Apart“
The album begins with this upbeat tune. The song’s 80’s pop arrangement evokes the The Cars and New Order. The story takes you through a dark path, “Don’t end your life theres so much to see if you have to run you’ll never be free” while the chorus offers salvation by extending helping hand,  “Take my hand before you fall apart and I promise that you’ll never be alone.” According to Loca, his lyrics were inspired by suicidal party girls.

“Hide“
Part Time’s trademark synth sound is present on this track. The song features a New Order-esque intro that begins with electronic drums, leading to a pronounced driving bass. The synth-heavy pop song describes the dispirited feeling of wanting to get away and disappear. It’s one of those songs that we can all relate to at one time or another.  “And I hope one day that we’ll just disappear I gave so much, I have no more to fear” Loca’s had a rough version of this song many years and finally saw the light of day on this record.  

“I Can Treat You Better“
Another demo that had been in the works for a while, features Ariel Pink who is credited as the “godfather” of the hypnagogic-pop and chillwave movement, lending his voice for backup vocals. The hook easily becomes an earwig that makes the listener want to sing along to the refrain, “I can treat you better.”

“Shattered Love“
Written in the confinement of his bedroom,  Loca references the late, Robert Palmer’s style when recording the lyrics and vocals. One thing that makes Part Time stand out are their music videos. Their clip for “Shattered Love” features swaying men wearing cowboy hats, boots and daisy dukes while Loca mimics moves reminiscent of Palmer’s, “Simply Irresistible.” “Shattered love” is a never-ending search for true love,”Shattered love So it goes I was charmed by a faded rose.”

Video directed by Kevin P. Kearney. 

“So Far Away”
This track is one of Loca’s favorite he created with Tony Leal. Loca took the lead in writing the song while Tony composed the bass lines in the singer’s L.A. home. The song’s tone is that of a dreamy, dark, misty forest, although the lyrics are more upbeat than the rest of the album, “With the chord still trying to pry, In the dawn, Chasing fireflies, Just like they rise from the ground.”

“Spell #6”
The title track is a standout song on the album. It features Jared Caldwell of Panthar on drums. The song is a perfect recipe for a love-binding potion. Ingredients like swelling crescendos, killer guitar riffs, played on a 1979 Japanese 12 string guitar, and virtuoso vocals round out the recipe. Those elements are mixed in a cauldron while chanting the magic words “I wonder if it shows, this spell I cannot break.”

“Higher fantasy“
A collaboration between Mandy Pixely (who wrote the mellow melody) while Loca took lead on bass, this track highlights his poetic textures “Don’t wanna live, With the marks beneath my knees, And we can tell the world, All the secrets that we keep.” 

“I Didn’t Know”
This is one of those songs that was created spontaneously, featuring Marcos Smith,  the guitarist for The Deep Shadows  on drums.  According to Loca, the song started with Marcos trying to mimic Marvin Gaye’s drummer and the rest is history. This track resonates with us, shattering hearts into a million pieces… “I fell into a love that vanished in the air, I failed to see the truth of a girl who didn’t care.” 

Video directed by Kevin P. Kearney. 

“It’s Alright with Me“ 
This track already has a following as it was also featured on a demo that was re-recorded for the current record.  When relationships come to an end and the realization that it’s time to let go can be a complicated thing to do,  “There may come a day When we both may disagree You can go your way I’ll go mine respectfully.”

“Jean’s Ballad“
A tune that has a groove, arranged while the band was rehearsing, the song had been sitting around for years and finally made it to an official release. “Jean’s Ballad” is a description of a girl who is on her own and recalls characterss like a sex worker trying to make ends meet… “She hangs her jewelry, Underneath the floor there’s a secret door, Where she hides her monies.”

“Silent Francine (Mass Romantic Fascination)”
 Is a song that had been laying around for about seven years and basically was left untouched when it was included on the album. Featuring an old synth that had been laying around, refers back to Part Time’s earlier style. The tune describes a woman who has lost her way to dark places. “Illuminated by light, Suspended on up the docks, The cats will fight.”

“The Boys That Make Her Cry”
The Punk-Rock ‘n Roll tune inspired by Bowie and The Cars, leads Leal and Loca in the direction to match those influential artists. Loca’s vocal rendition closely matches Bowies vocal style during the chorus “Oh Oh Oh there she goes again, She’s alone again with boys that don’t care.”

Overall this is a great album to add to your for Part Time collection, equally so if you dig a modern take on 80’s syth-pop. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Spell #6  on cassette, CD or vinyl.