Spit Syndicate - Sunday Gentleman (23/09/2013)
Sunday Gentlemen – brought to you by two chaps out of the Inner West of Sydney, Nick Lupi and Jimmy Nice, known collectively as Spit Syndicate. The album is simply stellar – sheer aural delight, in a voice that's thoughtful and intellectually enlightening.
Their expertly crafted third album pays homage to the perennial struggle of artists the world over, pursuing their artistic ambition while bread-winning under the daily pressure of living.
The concept of Sunday Gentlemen was inspired by writer Irving Wallace, whose magnum opus was the culmination of several years of Sunday (unpaid) work. Spit Syndicate know well that creative types have to work around and against the clock to pursue their craft, and also to provide and prosper – or merely stay afloat.
Listen if you're hungry for polished, elegant hip-hop – for discerning and distinguished types. This is an album masterminded by mature gents who rap because it comes naturally and rhyme when they have something to say. This is not the ghetto-blasting, overtly macho brand of hip-hop, borne of a desire to amass celebrity and coin.
Spit Syndicate present a sharp outfit, slicker than a high-end tailored suit, as friendly towards martini sippers as tea-drinkers supping with scones – indeed, all real people with real world concerns can enjoy.
A number of songs are blessed with a rich, old-world jazz quality – of note in this regard are Also Known As and Along The Way (feat. Solo).
Sip It Slow is deliciously moreish, and lends itself easily to playing on a loop. Sexy organ-keys and pulsing synth are the backbone for playful stories about the pleasures and pitfalls of biting off more than you can chew.
Single Amazing, by way of introduction, is a statement of intent and purpose. Profound lyrical insight – “That's a sure sign that we're on the ropes/ When you've got the occupiers yelling 'stop the boats!'” – is Spit Syndicate's most engaging strength, and what sets them apart from mass-appeal commercial acts.
The wisdom is drip-fed, for the duration of Sunday Gentlemen, in the most joyous of ways – never more so than on throw-your-hands-in-the-air radio hit Folly.
The most introspective, solemn moment comes with a helping hand from much-loved Melbourne boy Illy. Lost In Translation may be sombre in tone and matter, but even in this down moment the message is bang-on and ultimately inspirational.
If you want to reap reward, sow its seeds. If you want joy, cultivate love and friendship. And if you want success, work as hard as you gotta and make it happen. Even on a Sunday.
Rebecca McCann
Their expertly crafted third album pays homage to the perennial struggle of artists the world over, pursuing their artistic ambition while bread-winning under the daily pressure of living.
The concept of Sunday Gentlemen was inspired by writer Irving Wallace, whose magnum opus was the culmination of several years of Sunday (unpaid) work. Spit Syndicate know well that creative types have to work around and against the clock to pursue their craft, and also to provide and prosper – or merely stay afloat.
Listen if you're hungry for polished, elegant hip-hop – for discerning and distinguished types. This is an album masterminded by mature gents who rap because it comes naturally and rhyme when they have something to say. This is not the ghetto-blasting, overtly macho brand of hip-hop, borne of a desire to amass celebrity and coin.
Spit Syndicate present a sharp outfit, slicker than a high-end tailored suit, as friendly towards martini sippers as tea-drinkers supping with scones – indeed, all real people with real world concerns can enjoy.
A number of songs are blessed with a rich, old-world jazz quality – of note in this regard are Also Known As and Along The Way (feat. Solo).
Sip It Slow is deliciously moreish, and lends itself easily to playing on a loop. Sexy organ-keys and pulsing synth are the backbone for playful stories about the pleasures and pitfalls of biting off more than you can chew.
Single Amazing, by way of introduction, is a statement of intent and purpose. Profound lyrical insight – “That's a sure sign that we're on the ropes/ When you've got the occupiers yelling 'stop the boats!'” – is Spit Syndicate's most engaging strength, and what sets them apart from mass-appeal commercial acts.
The wisdom is drip-fed, for the duration of Sunday Gentlemen, in the most joyous of ways – never more so than on throw-your-hands-in-the-air radio hit Folly.
The most introspective, solemn moment comes with a helping hand from much-loved Melbourne boy Illy. Lost In Translation may be sombre in tone and matter, but even in this down moment the message is bang-on and ultimately inspirational.
If you want to reap reward, sow its seeds. If you want joy, cultivate love and friendship. And if you want success, work as hard as you gotta and make it happen. Even on a Sunday.
Rebecca McCann