The Great Spy Experiment
Flower Show Riot
[Universal]

by Andre

Let me begin by stating that I WASN’T that much of a Great Spy Experiment enthusiast. Taking a trip down memory lane, it was only 2 years back when I mercilessly deemed them to be a band whose music were shambolic.

How I have been forced to eat those repulsive words of mine. Having gone through Spy’s “Great Experiment”, I now find myself shamefully questioning my music acumen.

Today, The Great Spy Experiment stands effortlessly tall as one of Singapore’s hottest and most talked about band. Since their conception in 2005, they have not had the time to look back. Their climb to fame has been nothing short of phenomenal which saw them sweep the Favourite Breakout Band Award at the Singapore Music Awards but also the Street Choice Award at the Motorola Street Awards.

Mastered in the Big Apple, New York City, their much anticipated debut album Flower Show Riots is a must have for all local music advocates. It boasts 11 heart pumping tunes which will exponentially boost your metabolism rate, all thanks to your mutated but yet vigorous shuffles.

Spearheading the 5 man band, adroit vocalist Saiful Idris is truly a rare talent. His song writing skills are evidently the highlight of the band although I reckon he could improve on his vocals. Nevertheless, his song writing skills, together with four equally deft musicians in his mates – Tan Shung Sin, Magdelene Han, Khairyl Hashim and Mohd Affandy, The Great Spy Experiment has found the perfect balance in an equation comprising of Oasis, Franz Ferdinand, The Killers and Angels & Airways.

I strongly suggest that listeners skip the notion of briefly introducing their eardrums to the available tracks. Instead of leaping to the next track seconds into a song, let it rip! Allow it to fuel your body with verve, delight and gusto.

Having said that, it wouldn’t be a considered a felony should one be found guilty of replaying the tracks ‘Late Night Request’ and ‘Class “A” Love Affair’. Somehow, rather rare I must add, I find that my newly acquired Hi-Fi, Sony CMT-BX3 (Hah, take that you technology fiends!) tend to manually “malfunction” at these 2 songs. The diagnosis: persistent playbacks. No, my Hi-Fi isn’t broken. Far from it! Reason simply being, those 2 songs are extraordinarily spellbinding!

‘Late Night Request’ is a testament to the band’s ingenuity and flair. From my standpoint, it is by far the best song of the lot, thanks to the music’s habitual tendency to drift into a smooth jazzy tune every so often. ‘Late Night Request’ is an earworm; listeners would find themselves requesting a playback, be it night or day!

Not to be outdone, ‘Class “A” Love Affair’ is also just as infectious as ‘Late Night Request’. Replace the sporadically-thrown jazzy tunes with solid thrashing guitars and one would find himself jumping hysterically, not to mention a run-in with your friendly neighbourhood police officers (sentence only applicable to those who have techno-loving neighbours). Should this problem arise however, mute your deafening Hi-Fi for a bit before blasting it up again. And while you’re at it, sing along and scream if you must. For it is worth every penny you fork out for the fine imposed on you!

Speaking from experience, I dare say Flower Show Riots is a RIOT. 11 mood-alleviating, heart-pumping songs and yes, metabolism-boosting songs ARE reasons enough to see you burn a hole in your pocket. So I say, don’t be a miser and dig deep into your pocket. It’s worth the $19.90 you’re shelling out. So stop those gym visits, instead purchase this album and dance to it. Chances are you’ll burn more calories doing the shuffle than swooning over them damsels or studs at the gym.