Spinal Tap - This Is Spinal Tap (Original Soundtrack) **** 1/2

Today marks the celebration of two holidays:
Veterans Day (U.S.) and 11/11/11, a reference to the 1984 film 'This Is Spinal Tap' which happens to be my favorite movie of all time. Since this blog is centered on music, we will be focusing on the soundtrack.



For those unfamiliar with the band Spinal Tap, the lineup are as follows:

David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean): guitar and vocals
Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest): guitar and vocals
Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer): bass and vocals*
Viv Savage (David Kaff (neé Kaffinetti): keyboards and vocals**
Mick Shrimpton (R.J. Parnell): drums

The soundtrack album was released on Polydor (Polymer) records, and is every bit as satirical as the movie. Various phases of the band are represented, evolving from blue-eyed blues like the Rolling Stones/the Small Faces, flower-power folk like the Byrds/Buffalo Springfield to a heavy-edged 80s hair band. Sexual metaphors are found throughout the album's lyrics and may be disturbing to some listeners but the wording is silly enough to make any teenager or adult laugh. All songs were written by stars Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer and Rob Reiner (Marty DiBergi).















Favorite Song: Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight
Least Favorite Song: America
Songs Also Recommended: Heavy Duty, Rock 'N Roll Creation, Stonehenge, (Listen To The) Flower People, Christmas With The Devil (bonus track on reissues)

Notes:
*Bass and vocals on 'Gimme Some Money' and '(Listen To The) Flower People': Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar (Ronnie Pudding).
'Gimme Some Money' is credited to the Thamesmen.

**Additional keyboards: Harlan Collins and Jon Sinclair