Album Reviews
Following the release of a bunch of singles and EPs, Chicago’s Turnspit finally stepped up to the plate and released their debut album. And well, ‘Desire Paths’ comes pretty close to being a homerun. Sorry for the sports analogies. Then again, the album came out on Dodgeball Records so I feel like maybe it is kinda warranted here?
Recorded by drummer Dan Tinkkler at the Chicago institution that is Atlas Studios, the twelve tracks sound all kinds of crispy and clear and come packed with plenty of energy and big melodies. And because two good things are always better than one, Turnspit decided to double down on the vocals. Gillian McGhee and Jason Swearingen trade off in the best of ways throughout the album and even get together for some sweet harmonies. Check out ‘Home Is Run No More’ for some of that goodness.
The vocal melodies in ‘Walk Away’ might feel a bit too generic and ‘Invisible’ doesn’t really do much of anything. But when they get it all together in songs like opener ‘Irish Name’ or ‘Apologies I Have So Many’, there is a helluva lot to enjoy if you are into Midwestern punkrock. Hell, they even managed to wring a sole tear out of this cynic’s eye with the moving acoustic cut that is ‘Given’. And the powerful centerpiece that is ‘Skin’ is nothing short of impressive.
Track listing:
- Irish Name
- Breath Taking
- Walk Away
- Apologies, I Have So, So Many
- Desire Paths
- Skin
- Home Is Run No More
- Given
- Taproom
- Midsentence
- Invisible
- If It Meant Heaven Was Free
Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.
