Spiritual Cramp : Rude
West Coast punks Spiritual Cramp evolved from the band Creative Adult, and their sophomore album Rude showcases yet another stage in their evolution. It’s an even more radio-friendly permutation of their infectious punk rock, in that it’s reminiscent of a time when radio-friendly rock wasn’t such an unattractive proposition. Still, they remain punks at heart early on, kicking things into motion with a little ditty poking fun of punk rock politics before giving a worshipful nod to the Ramones with “Go Back Home.” From there, the band roll up their sleeves and shows you who they really are with a banger called “At My Funeral,” lyrically clever and hooky as hell, but packed with enough punk attitude to give it an edge.
In some ways Rude is like a slicker, more melodic counterpart to Viagra Boys’ latest, as it’s playful though not as chaotically unhinged. Spiritual Cramp are more centered and reflective, like when they’re observing society’s addictive tendencies on the new wave-adjacent “Automatic.” “You’ve Got My Number” features Sharon Van Etten, who lends her voice as a counterpoint to the song’s post-punk mood, highlighting the fact this album is loaded with interesting guitar tones to complement the emotive crooning both singers offer.
Despite the band’s best efforts to dodge being pinned to a genre on this album, their punk roots hold fast on songs like “I Hate the Way” before they groove over to a more dub-inflected feel for “Violence in the Supermarket.” Meanwhile, the jangle of ’90s indie rock haunts “True Love.” All of these stylistic side steps prove effective, the group still retaining their identity rather than just trying on hats to see what fits. Likewise, Mike Bingham has grown as a singer, and his more refined croon places them in the same arena-rocking “indie” sphere as a band like the Killers. But this album retains more heart than high hopes, keeping it from feeling like a deliberate stab for a bigger audience.
There is more of a party atmosphere on the upbeat “Young Offenders,” which contrasts the sullen introspection of “New Religion” that explores finding one’s own conception of spirituality without having to offer answers to anyone else. This journey is taken inward with a conflicted sense of self appraisal on the lyrically introspective “People Don’t Change.”
Rude is more polished in its songwriting perspective and less explosive than Spiritual Cramp’s 2023 debut. This mature approach reveals a step forward for the band, showcasing their increasingly hooky sound. It’s a highly enjoyable listen, its energetic anthems carrying the carefree feeling of party songs, though a closer listen reveals an inventory of inner struggles. It’s a catalog of reflective brooding with all the fun of a set of summer jams.
Label: Blue Grape
Year: 2025
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