As this is my first record review let me run down the format. Some other contributing members of Youngmanridge have elaborate scoring scales to determine a final rating, which are really great but far too regimented for my tastes. I will, however, stick to the five star rating system which is the convention for this site. Other than that I’ll tell you what I thought and why. Whether or not it’s something you may like is totally up to you.

Splender is an awesome four-piece rock band. Their brand of Rock music is a real breath of fresh air. It’s comforting that in this time of whiney, power-chord driven pup bands (pop + punk = pup!) there is still a proficient, professional sounding rock band. Splender is one of the few rock bands marketed to the 18-28 age group that are technically proficient. Now, when I say proficient I mean definitely above par. The album is nothing but song after song that continually support this claim. It is well produced and written. I like that some bands still use chords with notes other than the first and fifth. This becomes instantly apparent as you listen to many of the songs intros. Equally as obvious is the strength and conviction in the voice of lead singer, Waymon Boone. After about one minute of his voice pouring into your head, you will proclaim: “Damn this guy can sing!” Waymon, aside from being the obvious replacement should Lenny Kravitz ever be impeached, is also an experienced song writer.

Remarkably, almost every song on the record will speak to your soul, granted you have one. The record seems to be built for radio, in that almost any song could easily be a single. Yet, Splender has not quite received the rock accolades they surely deserve. But, as Clint Eastwood said in that western that shares a title with a Metallica song, “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it.” I think he said that, and then blew Gene Hackman’s face off. Anyway, the record has great ballads like, “Here I am, there you go,” and fat rock beats like, “No Big Deal” to name a few.

The band does a wonderful job of balancing acoustic and electric guitars, clean and distorted tones, soft and loud, happy and sad, you name it. Another element that draws me into a band is whether or not you can listen to the entire record without changing a track. You can leave this one on repeat. It actually makes for good driving music.

I would recommend this record to rock music fans across the spectrum. There are elements of everybody from Billy Idol, to Tears for Fears, to Lenny Kravitz, to Tonic, to Fuel. Well, I guess that pretty much puts them in the Alternative Rock category. Anyway, like I said earlier, the band recently broke up. Which kind of makes this whole process kinda’ strange. However, it is reported that all the band members are pursuing other projects. I have a strong feeling that we are not done hearing from the members of Splender. Especially, lead singer, writer, and guitar player, Waymon Boone. Maybe he’ll show up in a cast of “Rent”. Regardless, I would like to quote Senator Palpatine form EP I, “We will be watching your career with great interest.” I think that was the quote anyway.

“I’m waking up, I want to lift myself to the bitter top.” -Waymon Boone (Wide Awake)

No joke: As I was looking up some background information for a review on Splender’s newest record, “To whom it may concern”, I discovered that in an email dated 4/8/03, band member James Cruz announced that the band is no longer. I was looking forward to seeing the band as they toured to support their newest record released in September of 2002. Now I kind of have that feeling you get when you have to re-type an extensive email after accidentally deleting it. It seems that the second try often lacks the feeling of the first. Perhaps am I the only one that has happened to, however, I shall carry on with my review because Splender’s albums still rock. And here I thought Splender was one of the bands that could have really added some much needed oxygen to the Rock music atmosphere . . .oh yeah and as you read you may want to change “is” to “was”, I just couldn’t bear to do it myself . .