Salem 66 – A Ripping Spin
Author: tracysigler | Posted: July 17th, 2006 | | Tags: 1985, indie, music, Salem 66, vinyl | 4 Comments »
- Artist: Salem 66
- Title: A Ripping Spin
- Year: 1985
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: Probably when she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
Live from Hampton, VA. — Uh, well, I tried to like this one. Mary says when she saw Salem 66 play live that the band and the music was exciting. “A Ripping Spin” doesn’t seem that exciting now. It’s not that either of us think it’s bad, they do have an interesting sound. It’s just that considering all the records we have we probably won’t play it again.
This was one of my favorite albums when it came out. I never understood how the mediocre, unlistenable Throwing Muses (another Boston alternative band with female members) got all the national attention while this band never made it out of the small clubs.
yea i bought the lp ater the across the sea 7″ which to this day i still listen to just cuz thats an awesme track from an incredible time for music…..so many memories
i loved this album. still can’t find a download of it anywhere. some of the tracks are on “your soul is mine” comp.
Salem 66’s best album is ‘A Ripping Spin’. The deceptive thing about this release is how effortless and open it feels; as if the musicians merely had to come together, plug into their amps, and let it be. The cover of Wire’s “Fragile” is spot on and a fine example of Salem 66’s unique vocal harmonies and chiming guitars. Things here are angular, askew, and yet without the furtive tension that usually accompanies those adjectives in rock. “Across the Sea” may be the band’s best original composition in a brief colorful career. Like the best of albums, “A Ripping Spin” unfolds, expands, and reveals itself with each and every listen; leaving an assured argument of its existence as one of the era’s essential, classic and crimanlly overlooked independent rock albums.