The Spinto Band - 'Nice & Nicely Done' (Virgin) Released 29/05/06

To Gigwise ‘Nice & Nicely Done’ has become like an old friend. Having been released last summer across the pond in the Wilmington six pieces US homeland and then coming to the attention of many this side of the Atlantic later on in 2005 we have been able to get to know in intricate detail before this, its official UK release. It is an album honed in the tradition of American geekdom, in bedrooms treated as safe havens and classrooms away from the bully boys of the school yard. Don’t be mislead though by its initial sunny disposition for the ten songs on ‘Nice & Nicely Done’ are often sugar-coated tales with dark centre‘s of loves lost and unrequited.

The bittersweet ode to breaking up ‘Did I Tell You’ kicks things off in typically misleading style as dreamy organs and jitter-pop guitars mask the Krill brother’s less than happy message. And from then on we’re treated to nine more songs of equally woozy, ridiculously infectious indie with nods to early Flaming Lips, They Might Be Giants and even a little ‘Pinkerton’ era Weezer. Occasionally it does fall into the trap of sounding samey as track after track attacks the senses with saccharine sounds but the oft beautiful song writing helps it walk the tight rope and land just on the right side.

Hook upon goddam brilliant hook is laid on thick from the kazoo led buzzing bars of ‘Brown Boxes’ to the skipping wide eyed innocence of ‘Trust Vs Mistrust’ and reach for the skies ‘Spy Vs. Spy’. And the Spinto’s aren’t afraid to break out the baselines either as the 70s disco-funk build to the chorus on ‘Crack The Whip’ show us. And the hits just keep coming; ‘So Kind, Stacy’ and ‘Direct To Helmet’ are quirky swoons along shimmering staccato beats while ‘Late’ finds them a little rougher round the edges and as urgent as anything David Gedge ever committed to record.

The tour de force however can be found three songs in on the two hundred and fifteen seconds that is ‘Oh Mandy’. As Nick Krill laments dolefully “I got it all on the back of my hand, I want your answer so I won't forget, then show me right where your heart is, oh right now tell me where your heart is” twinkling mandolins intertwine themselves between the simplest of piano led melodies and sear the song straight onto our heart.

Some may find ‘Nice & Nicely Done’ a little too syrupy for their tastes but six months in its friendship will teach you not to judge on first impressions. It is an album full of delights that will leave you with a warm glow in heart and mind. Like the perfect sweet you can eat it as much as you want and never feel sick.