For the unfamiliar, "This is Spinal Tap" is a 1984 comedy, directed by Rob Reiner. A "mock-umentary" of the legendary (but fictional) band Spinal Tap, the film is a merciless parody of all aspects of rock stardom. Comedians Michael McKeon, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Guest were so accurate in their portrayals of the clueless rockers that many were fooled into thinking that Spinal Tap was a real band. It did not hurt that the 3 actors wrote all the songs, and played their own instruments as well.

The soundtrack CD continues the joke. Complete with liner notes detailing the band's "history", the cd is presented as a greatest hits compilation. It hits on all stages of Spinal Tap's evolution...from pseudo-Beatles pop (Gimme Some Money, Cups and Cakes), to psychadelia (Listen to the Flower People), to the overwrought mysticism of 70's rock (Stonehenge, Rock and Roll Creation). You know that these songs are parodies, but they are so well-performed that you may think you heard them somewhere before.

But Spinal Tap does their best work making mincemeat of the world of hair metal. The juvenile excesses are played up...the metal songs are either dripping with sexism, or just mindless rock anthems. The highlights are "Big Bottom", featuring a double-bass intro by Derek Smalls (Shearer), as well as such priceless lyrics as "My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo, I like to sink her with my pink torpedo..." "Sex Farm" drops in many double-entendres:
"Plowing through your beanfield, poking your hay...". "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight"...well, the title says it all. "Hellhole" and "Heavy Duty" are true headbangers, heavier that anything Poison or Whitesnake ever did, and just as banal...the difference here is that you are in on the joke.

The cd's farcical liner notes complete the deception, showing the band's old album covers..."Shark Sandwich", "The Gospel according to Spinal Tap", and my personal favorite, "Intravenous De Milo"...

The remastered CD contains 2 bonus tracks, different versions of the holiday classic "Christmas with the Devil", also available on their follow-up disc.

The movie and the CD became so popular that Spinal Tap is now considered a real band...the actors put together a follow-up album (Break Like the Wind, 1992), a tour, and a video collection. They are held in higher esteem then most 80's metal bands...listen to the soundtrack, you'll see why.




Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends