No Depression:
There’s plenty of Beatles influences sprinkled throughout. Brooks shouts frantically like John Lennon in his Plastic Ono Band days over industrial psychedelic guitar shredding on “Spinner and the Spun. But this is no nostalgia celebration, no retro shmoozefest. Although many of his instrumental influences may be based on soothing melodies from the past, Brooks’ lyrics are gritty and down to earth. “Mephistopheles, I ain’t no sucka.” he barks on “Spinner and the Spun,” “Evil doesn’t even know that it is/ it’s a race between the spinner and the spun.” If you insist on labeling Brooks, pop revisionist is the best fit. In his hands, pop is taken out of the puberty market and made suitable for listeners with a little more life experience.
Relatemag:
Brad’s voice, ranging from Paul McCartney to Mick Jagger to Freddie Mercury, is quite an instrument in itself, so much so that it’s hard to focus on what he’s saying. Spinner & the Spun” begs the question, who really cares what he’s singing about, sounding like that? The piano, littered throughout like leaves disturbed by the wind, is even more of a distraction. There’s a lot of soul in this, a little rock, and a lot of musical variety, which really makes for a lot to love.
Leicester Bangs UK:
“Spinner & The Spun” hits like the best thing that INXS never recorded, whilst it simultaneously betters everything they did actually record.
Powerpopaholic:
“The Spinner & The Spun” is a powerful rocker with a driving beat and swaggering rhythm – here Brad radiates awesome coolness with the lead guitar solo by Paul Hoaglin
Itunes:
“Spinner & the Spun” sublimely reflects the darker period of John Lennon’s tenure with The Plastic Ono Band—especially with a subtle vocal echo and frenetic guitar shredding.
KCSU:
Sure, there are sure-fire hits like stand out single “Spinner & The Spun” a frenetic groove that mines Exile-era Stones mixed with a little T. Rex
lyrics
THE SPINNER & THE SPUN
GONNA HAVE TO STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE
GLASSY EYED REFLECTION DIDN’T GET IT DONE
EVERYBODYS GOT SOME AXEL TO GREASE
BAD MEANS OF SALVATION YA HAD TO SELL
I CAN SEE THAT BABY YOU GOT YOUR HELL
ANGELS CAME DOWN AND THEY COULDN’T LEAVE
TO MANY PLATES GOT TWIRLING ON A STICK
MESSIN UP ON NOT WHAT EVERYONE SEES
SCHEMATIC SMILE GONNA GET IN IT ALL UNDONE
TOUCHED ALL THE TANGLES ALL IN ONE
IT’S A RACE BETWEEN THE SPINNER & THE SPUN OOWW’
HOW BOUT ALL THEY GOT AND THEY GOT TO CONCEDE
NO KICKS FOR THE PICKENS I CANT SEEM TO FIND
LIKE A FLY YOUR IN NEED YOUR NOT TO YOUNG TO BLEED
TIRE FIRE BABY GOT NO SENSE TO LEAVE
BACK OFF IT HOME IS WHERE YOU BREATHE
IT’S A RACE BETWEEN THE SPINNER & THE SPUN OOW
WHOA (SOLO)
LIKE HELL, I GOT HELL, I GOT HELL, I GOT HELL,
I GOT HELL, I GOT HELL, I GOT OOW’
WHAT SEEMS LIKE THE END COULD BE SOMETHING NEW
CLIP WING CONDITIONING THE SKIDS
MEPHISTOPHELES I AINT NO SUCKA PLEASE
DID YOU BELIEVE EVERY WORD INDIVISABLY HIS
EVIL DOESN’T EVEN KNOW THAT IT IS
IT’S A RACE BETWEEN THE SPINNER & THE SPUN
YEAH IT’S A RACE BETWEEN THE SPINNER & THE SPUN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOH OOH OOH OOH
ANGELS CAME DOWN AND THEY COULDN’T LEAVE…….OOOH
ANGELS CAME DOWN AND THEY COULDN’T LEAVE…….OOOH
(I GOT HELL)
ANGELS CAME DOWN AND THEY COULDN’T LEAVE…….OOOH
(I. I GOT HELL)
ANGELS CAME DOWN AND THEY COULDN’T LEAVE…….OOOH
(I GOT HELL)
ANGELS CAME DOWN AND THEY COULDN’T LEAVE…….OOOH
(I, I GOT HELL)
ANGELS CAME DOWN AND THEY COULDN’T LEAVE…….OOOH
credits
from Harmony Of Passing Light,
released April 15, 2020
4) SPINNER & THE SPUN
Written by Brad Brooks
Recorded @ Klickitat Band Camp
Produced by Paul Hoaglin & Shay Scott
Mixed by David Simon Baker @ Mission Bells & Laughing Tiger
Brad Brooks is that rare quadruple threat of writer, player, singer, and performer.
His songs combine the melodic
sensibility of Elvis Costello, the best instincts of Wilco and Brian Wilson, the orchestral sophistication of Queen, along w/the Stonesy/Bowie gritty edges of rock/soul.
"If you're anything like me, you need some good news. Brad Brooks' music is that good news”……….Wayne Kramer...more
Multi-instrumentalist Chris St. Hilaire pays tribute to Black and indigenous Trinidadian musical cultures on this benefit EP. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 11, 2022