Spread Eagle Return With SUBWAY TO THE STARS

by Matman

A literal lifetime for me has passed since the release of the last Spread Eagle album, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC back in 1993.  I got married, had two kids (one who loves the band's bassist Rob De Luca), changed careers... and well, got old! In the time between then and now, De Luca and vocalist Ray West have done their own things, but both realized it was time to come back in a BIG way... and that big way is SUBWAY TO THE STAIRS, being released on Frontiers s.r.l on August 9th.

If you are a longtime fan of the band and are looking for music that has the street tough, rock/metal sound with some serious punk influences, have I some good news for you!!! Yes, you get all of that, plus a lot more. From start (the amazing title track that reminds me of The Replacements) to finish (the beautiful Solitaire), SUBWAY TO THE STARS is an incredible listen that is more diverse than their first two albums with moments of progression (29th Of February and Dead Air) and some straight ahead rockers like Cut Through (my favorite, for now) and Sound Of Speed that are just full of riffs and serious attitude.  The song on this album that is my other favorite is the unexpected, out of nowhere curve-ball, Gutter Rhymes For Valentines.  This song will turn a lot of heads for it's melodic drive, beautiful vocals, Ramones We Want The Airwaves rhythm guitar and lyrics that I think are about some bad things going on... but it is just so perfect a song!         

Joining West and De Luca are guitarist Ziv Shalev and drummer (and cousin of Rob) Rik De Luca. Both add their own flair and personalities to the songs, but remain faithful to the core sound the band created in the mid 1990's.  

Nothing is worth waiting 26 years for, especially music from a band you have always loved.... but those are the breaks and that's life. But if I (and the legion of Spread Eagle fans) had to wait a lifetime, i'm so thankful this is the album we are getting. SUBWAY TO THE STARS is a total monster!  I'm sure Ray and Rob would have liked to have done this album sooner, but then we wouldn't have gotten this fantastic release... a definite candidate for my album of the year.... in a year when so much amazing music has been released... this one is just amazing-er!!!

ANNNDDD.... the album's cover is awesome, simple, expressive and gives you a feel for what is lurking inside. Nice job Tristan Greatrex.

In the next episode of Power Chords we will feature my recent interview with Rob De Luca.  

​For more on the band and the new album, click here!!! 

​To hear the first single, click here!!!!

MATMAN RATING - 5 OUT OF 5