SPOTTISWOODE & HIS ENEMIES: That's What I Like

Spottiswoode & His Enemies

That's What I Like

© 2008 Jonathan Spottiswoode, J Spot Music Ascap (700261204321)

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a rock pop cabaret romp through the Mediterranean

notes

Spottiswoode, recently described as a “downtown ringleader” by The New Yorker, is an Englishman who has been on the New York scene for the last decade. His songs have been covered and recorded by numerous East Village and Williamsburg musicians, and featured in a variety of mainstream and independent films

Still, Spottiswoode’s proudest accomplishment is the almost decade long personality cult known as Spottiswoode & His Enemies. Somehow Spottiswoode has been able to hold together a group of seven of New York’s finest musicians, put out a string of acclaimed records, perform residencies at New York’s best clubs, play Lincoln Center, tour the country, cross the ocean… even though the rest of the band doesn't even like him. Who are these sad people?

Spottiswoode (guitar, vocals)
John Young (bass)
Tim Vaill (drums)
Candace DeBartolo (sax/clarinet/vocals)
Kevin Cordt (trumpet/violin/vocals)
Riley McMahon (guitar/mandolin/glockenspiel)
Tony Lauria (accordion/piano/organ)

With “That’s What I Like” the wannabe playboy takes his Enemies on a drunken holiday to the Mediterranean. The result? A cocktail of hedonism, romance and heartbroken philosophy. A pop/rock confection deliciously produced by Enemy #5, Riley McMahon.

reviews

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  • That's What I Like
    author: James Hartman

    Found this one first, then listened to Salvation. Both are excellent, although different. This one is a little heavier, hotter, and coarser. Spottiswoode sounds like no one else.

  • I like it too
    author: John Campbell

    Wry humor standing on a foundation of melancholia. A musical trip on the Orient Express- the Enemies give their expression of cafe musette style to the Turkish musical entrepot... some of the best integration of eastern sounds into western songs. The lyrics seem more intensely personal than previous outings... and shed light on why the band hates Spotty... Who could like a guy who makes his girlfriend pay to see his show?

  • Amazing
    author: David

    It's playful & artistic but still manages to be wonderfully musical. There's not a bad track on this CD.

  • Witty, haunting, brilliant!
    author: Letty

    I worship at the altar of Spottiswoode & his Enemies, play this CD over and over, and still can't get enough! I highly recommend this mixture of witty, personal, keenly observed and brilliantly crafted oddities, with a kickass sense of rhythm, a great sense of humor, and a truly big heart. Long live this band!!!

  • That's what I like
    author: Carolyn Hirsch

    Heard a bit of this on NPR and had to have it. There's only one song I don't particularly like (the first one) but the others are all odd and haunting---I love to play this CD. I consider myself a new member of the over 60 fan club for Spottiswoode.

  • Help me, I'm addicted!
    author: Aldona

    I can't stop! I tried but can't stop listening. When I shut off the music it keeps playing in my head and I find myself swaying to the rhythm. People are starting to wonder about me! It's been years since I found music that affected me like this. It's intimate, eerie, intoxicating, different and yet so strangely familiar. In the Pouring Rain and Sailing to Byzantium is musical genius. Thank you NPR for introducing me to this and thank you Spottiswoode for creating such beautiful music!

  • I listen to this constantly. Trying to memorize the lyrics. Telling everyone.
    author: Kaye Denny

    Spottiswoode - that's what I like. This CD is yet another fun-filled romp with the best musicians around. There are poignant love-songs, quirky ditties, screaming dance tunes - all 12 are winners. It is PACKED with great stuff. Why aren't these guys famous? I am telling everyone I know about them.

  • another excellent collection of songs/stories from mr spottiswoode and band
    author: alan thomson

    Today I start 6 weeks holidays and Spottiswoode & His Enemies latest cd arrives in the post,life is good!Don`t hesitate to buy this,it really is a satisfiying piece of work,grand songs and a top notch band of players.

  • author: Rick

    In case you missed it, the last outing by Spottiswoode was the brilliant and dark S&M, made with Riley McMahon and friends. He's teamed here again with His Enemies and they have produced the best Enemies yet, another showcase for the man's musical abilities. - - - Now, I readily confess to not being a fan of the Film Noir school of lyrics (though Nick Cave still calls to me) or the singer/songwriter's penchant for introspection. The theatre of gloom doesn't click with me and, though I've been listening to him for years, Spottiswoode's tortured dispatches of despair, loss and longing... well, the hellhound ain't breathin fire. So what keeps bringing me back to the table? When a master reaches out his hand you take it, and Spottiswoode is a master melody maker. Damn, the boy can weave a tune. - - - Where S&M was a long winters night, That's What I Like is springtime in the park, a catharsis of sorts. This is music to dance and sway too, light hearted and fun. Even the murder ballad "Olivia" grabs you and won't let go. There's more than a handful of gems here - the Sound of Music-ish "That's What I Like", "On A Summers Day" (minimalism school of lyrics - love it! ), "Sailing to Byzantium" - to name just a few. Tunes that any tunesmith would be proud to call their own (some would be proud to have just one of these songs under their belt). - - - We all hear those demons in the night and many will gravitate to those liedermachers that hear the same voices (how else to explain Alexi Murdoch?), but if you prefer your existential/angst shtick with some toe tapping in the mix then Spottiswoode is your man. Great music.

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