Intravenus de Milo by Spinal Tap

A review of a rarely heard classic.

With Spinal Tap's recent resurgence with 2009's Back From The Dead, Polymer Records decided they wanted a cut of the action and re-released many of the out of print Tap albums. Before these classic albums existed solely on second hand vinyls and third rate cassettes but now, after a long, long wait, we can finally hear a fabled piece of Rock's ugly younger offspring in CD quality.

I begin with 1974's Intravenus de Milo, derided in the namesakes film as 'bad poetry and retarded sexuality'. This may hold true in songs such as 'Women Are a Piece of Cake' and 'Eye of the Snake' but there's so much more to them. Each holds a classic hard rock vibe seasoned with innuendo and smug satisfaction. Chart hits do not necessitate talent but it's worth at least a decent penis joke. The title track is a kalaidescope of blatant drug references 'Hook me up/ I'm riding parallel lines/ upon the rails of some backstreet guy' but contains what is perhaps Nigel Tufnels' most accomplished guitar work. Many have worn out their dusty old vinyl copies by playing the classic 'Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight' for eternity but in CD quality there's a fine line between muddy quality and clear precision.

 

All in all, within the albums sexual undertones and brash aloofness lies a primal swagger of polished rock n' roll. It may seem outdated and even cheesy at times, but no record collection can be complete without it. In 1974, no one knew Spinal Tap... or what they were doing. But in retrospect we now know; they were crafting their strongest album of the 70's.

I will end this with a quote from the underrated 'Saliva of the Fittest':

'You're soaking wet but the end is nigh
please don't dry out or you'll make me cry'