Spraydog Karate Summer Camp by: Mark Simms Mon:04-Jun-07 Label: Ferrick Mordant Year: 2007 WB rating 66 out of 100

There is something strangely exciting about the thought of attending a karate summer camp. Waking up tired each morning, getting kicked in the guts, punched, yelled at, jumping around in circular patterns, the sun bearing down, the day ending with the body tired, dehydrated, and wondering, why? Only to wake up the next morning, still sore, but excited – waiting for the bruises to turn purple, each one a badge of honour

Just like one of these camps, Spraydog are strangely exciting, a band whose energetic mix of fuzz is messy but alluring. The guitars are demented, the voices flow languidly, in a yawning tone, and the instruments generally kick through in a barely controlled flare of hazy chaos. But hey, they told you that its karate summer camp, what were you expecting? Well, whatever that was, ultimately you’ll be left a spent mess, the band’s keenness either exhilarating or draining you.

It sounds like Sonic Youth, The Pixies, and My Bloody Valentine, have all attended this camp, however, Spraydog have mastered enough not to let the sounds of their influences dictate their music too much. The albums punches of fuzzed distortion, round house kicks of lo-fi production, and chopping guitars sound as if the band members have purposefully decided to challenge the notion that you should tune your guitar before recording. And as an experiment it’s not entirely unsuccessful, adding to Spraydog’s sound, and stirring some mischief and confusion. Through all these elements, catchy and interesting melodies still find their way out; Spraydog show they know how to have a good time, without forgetting that without a melody there is no song.

It isn’t always a muddle of sparring and tomfoolery, as Karate Summer Camp also allows time for theory – quiet and deep meditation. The more subtle aspects of the album are overwhelmingly outnumbered, but they are needed to balance this release. Admittedly the music works best at a fast tempo, guitars and drums colliding in bedlam. The voices of Maria Fontana and Steve Robson hardly draw breath, which works well; providing the urgency to match the instrumentation.

‘Prizefighters’ starts out with a blaring concoction of scratchy guitar and slow banging drums, which eventually disperse to give way to the band’s barely controlled vocals that only just manage to escape drowning amidst the noise. It’s a track of disorder, un-aimed swinging punches, seemingly directionless, it is a fascinating chaos. Alternately, ‘Lack Of Sleep’ is a track exhibiting the theory and deeper-thought of Spraydog. The tracks slow beat, percussive additions, and the voices gel, allowing the headwind to lull after the crazed brew that has been the previous tracks.

Karate Summer Camp’s warped fuzz, blare, and energetic melodies are certainly not the most innovative going around. Occasionally, too, it overdoes it and you may find yourself looking for small spaces to get some reprieve. However, when in the right mood, Spraydog’s mess, mischief, and noise can be rather invigorating.