Album Review: Trinidad from Sweet Spirit signals new approach
Like many bands, Austin’s Sweet Spirit has seen a number of iterations. The group has swelled and contracted in size over the years. The current (smaller) formation lends itself to a different direction with Trinidad that is still glam rock we know and love, but a leaner sound emerges. It’s darker in tone than the previous two full-length albums the band has released. The album dropped last Friday. Without a horn section and backing singers like their earlier work, the band is forced to lean heavier on guitarist, Andrew Cashen’s catchy riffs and a strong vocal performance by Sabrina Ellis. The two form the basis of all songwriting for the band.
Newly signed to Merge Records like their sister act, A Giant Dog, Sweet Spirit have released an ambitious album in that it stretches their creative approach while honing their strength, exceptional songwriting. For a pair that output glam rock and garage punk that songwriting chops is what makes the group stand out among thousands of similar acts. Sweet Spirit has transitioned from a celebrated party band to something deeper and more meaningful with this 9-track effort.
Suitably, opening song, “Behold” announces a sparer, more deliberate approach with a classic glam rock introduction accompanied by a shuffle on drums that almost sounds like a drum roll. Ellis’ plaintive vocals come in over that simple intro to announce Sweet Spirit’s venture into new creative territory. Three quarters through the song it opens up with a guitar explosion as the track crescendos.
Following that impressive beginning is second track, “Fear Is a Lie.” This one sounds more familiar if you’re already a Sweet Spirit fan. That may be because the song has appeared in live set lists by the group for a few years. Besides being a great song with a catchy chorus (“Fear is just a lie”) it demonstrates Ellis’ mastering of their (Ellis identifies as non-binary eg. they, their) vocal work in that they sound less strained and more natural delivering their thoughtful lyrics. The guitar riff in this one is super catchy a la Cashen’s trademark contributions to the songwriting.
Lower tempo songs in the track list make their appearance here with the apropos number, No Dancing. The song shifts the gears a bit to highlight throwback keyboards producing a sort of neu-romantic, glam pop mashup.
Track four, “Fingerprints” elicits a slow beat introduction with swirling keyboards that form the backdrop for Ellis’ deliberate intonation of words. A saxophone part and dreamy surf guitar riffs turns the song into a lush declaration.
The fifth song on the album is a highlight, “Llorando.” Released in advance of the album, the high tempo track sounds like a late 70’s, early 80’s dance tune with an intelligent, indie rock lyric structure. This one has more throwback feel that any of the other tracks on the record. It also spotlights Ellis’ Hispanic background with a chorus sung in Spanish. According to Ellis and Cashen the chorus just sounded more natural that way. Whatever their reasons, we love the song.
While we enjoyed the remaining tracks, track list closer, “Empty Bottle” perhaps best represents the new album. It feels like an amalgamation of the all the songs on the record. The composition is spare, the song is weird, retro and most importantly, authentic. Sweet Spirit is the real deal.
