Spyderhuff - Think About Me

Spyderhuff

Think About Me
​self-released; 2021 

4.0 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Tom Kuhr, Don Beyer, Jim Pauli, “Guitar” Joey Gaydos and Tony Mitchell are Spyderhuff. The band’s roots go back to the '70s and on their release Think About Me melds that classic rock sort of style with other genres.

The EP starts with the title track “Think About Me” and is very much a mix of ’70s classic rock and some synths as well which had a very ’80s sort of midi aesthetic not too far from Peter Gabriel and to a lesser extent Talking Heads. The song is fun and loose. It’s also filled to the brim with instrumentation. They did say: “The title track “Think About Me” is a social commentary about social media. It has become a powerful centrifugal force that pins us to the wall of a spinning drum. Interestingly, the lyrics were written in 1992.”

The next song is “Drunk Like a Baby.” Musically there’s a bit of a Pink Floyd thing going on but more like it was played by a jazz band. The horns sounded great and the funky guitar worked as well. I loved some of the grooves. The vocals are similar to the first song and just very loose and borderline comedic. I would say the vocalist is having fun with it.

“Cracker Jack Shack” is a tip of the hat to ’70s blue collar type of classic rock. The band even busts out the cowbell. This song might be a straight parody but either way I loved it.  They play into the rock n’ roll handbook and pull off tons of classic rock moves. I thought the harmonica was a nice addition as well.

“I’m Not Afraid” might be the highlight. The song is melodic and a perfect balance between sincerity and levity. There was something in the delivery where the song felt reflective but didn't feel melodramatic. The band goes for more of a country angle on “Revenge In Heaven” and the tone is again sort of on the line.

​The songs felt inspired by the ’70s and ’80s but the band jumps around in terms of style and approach. I thought the songs were accessible and felt powerful yet fun at the same time. Recommended.

Tweet