ALBUM REVIEW: Letter to Self - Sprints

Irish Garage Punk? What exactly does that sound like? Well the Sprints released their debut album and it has gotten some critical acclaim. Let's see if my tastebuds agree. Sometimes we know how I handle the hype wagons... (see a future review for Cowboy Carter for most blunt opinions). 

I feel like the lead vocalist tries to take on Chrissie Hynde. Not a slight by any means, but I do not feel like they were able to capture the same energy. I think from a punk standpoint - the music hits fine. I don't think the lyricism itself makes me think of punk rock at its finest. But let us travel through this release.

Ticking is the opener and surprised me with the styling choice. And I do hope they finally decided whether or not to cut their hair.

Heavy has some impressive instrumentation, but I am a bit disappointed the vocalist and lyricism do not match the energy as well as I'd like.

Cathedral is the first song to really have a truly punk scathe, likely referencing Church abuses. Punk usually has something to say. Okay given there IS the Ramones, but most memorable punk says something a bit deeper in all the chaos.

Shaking Their Hands pulls away from the punk and almost has an alt/grunge kind of edge and I prefer this song to what I have heard so far. The vocalist actually gels well with the music here.

Adore Adore Adore grabs some feminine rage which I can definitely vibe with. The inflections she uses really sell it.

Shadow of a Doubt vocally is very raw, gritty, and emotional. However, by this point in the album, beyond Shaking Their Hands it is beginning to sound a little one note.

It seems they must have heard me because Can't Get Enough of It takes a new shift in the guitar work. I like the vaguer lyricism here. It captures trauma but allows you to insert your own experience into the said fear.

Literary Mind could be a Pretenders track if it wanted to and I appreciate the ode, even if it is not my favorite selection. 

A Wreck (A Mess) could almost be on the latest Paramore release. That is not as much a compliment since I was not a fan of it. 

Up and Comer is a little too rough around the edges for me. It kind of takes me back to what I did not love about Heavy.

Closer "Letter to Self" is a resounding statement of surviving a bad situation. With a line about shaking the leaves of hereditary, it seems to speak of familial issues. A bit angsty but fits. 

LYRICS: 6/10 - Some are a bit simplistic and don't grab but others create a good image that allows you to insert yourself easily.

MUSIC: 7/10 - The appealing force of this album is the instrumentation. The downside is at times it falls repetitive or does not match with the vocalist very well.

OVERALL: 6/10 - Certainly not shabby for a debut from a new band. If you are into punk music at all I would give it a listen.