When you see that a band is releasing its first new album in 15 years, you probably have a lot of questions. What has the band been up to in all that time? Why did it take so long to put out a new album? Those are valid questions of course. However, when you hear The Spine that Binds, the new album from Tsunami Bomb, it kind of feels like the band has been there all along.
It doesn’t take long to see that the band hasn’t mellowed in the past 15 years, and that’s a good thing. “Naysayers” is a great example. This song moves along with a furious energy while Oobliette Sparks sings, “I’m not asking permission. I don’t need your forgiveness. You don’t set the conditions.” There is plenty of anger in the sound of the backing vocals also. It’s easy to imagine a crowd of people singing and shouting along to this song with their fists in the air.
The album is filled with uptempo songs that feature pounding beats, loud guitars, and keyboard parts that give the album a real new-wave sound. You also hear plenty of shouted backing vocals that make you want to join in while pumping your fist. Through each song, Sparks displays sheer power on the lead vocals.
It’s not all volume and tempo with this band. The lyrics are just as powerful as the vocals. “Dead Men Can’t Catcall” is not only a timely statement against toxic masculinity, but a strong display. In this song, Sparks puts someone in his place by demanding that he keep his hands off her and stating in no uncertain terms that she is not his toy. “Lullaby for the End of the World” is another one that rocks with a strong message. This one kicks off with a bass riff and the lyrics, “We’re running out of time.” The message of this song is applicable no matter the topic. The message is basically that if you want action – any action – you can’t wait for others to make the move. Sure, the song will have you singing (shouting) “We’re running out of time”, but beyond that, it hopefully will get you to realize that sitting around and waiting never really paid dividends for anyone.
If you still have your Tsunami Bomb shirt from 15 years ago, now is the time to break it out (who cares if it’s now a belly shirt). This album shows the band can rock hard while delivering a message that everybody needs to hear. So what have Tsunami Bomb been doing for the last 15 years? That’s a question for the band members. But this album shows that the hibernation was well worth it.
