Playing With Matches by SPIES: Album Review

by Damien Reid June 23, 2023

June 23, 2023

Playing With Matches by SPIES: Album Review

“Playing With Matches” is an ecstatic rock album by SPIES led by Maggie Loeffler and Dan Fisher. Each track of this record will remind of the good old days of punk rock, where each melodic layer playfully depicts the adventurous facets of youth. There’s an innate sense of freedom and a need to rebel with the kinda music SPIES make. Thus, their music fills me with nostalgia, as my entire upbringing was based around the aforementioned genres.

SPIES launches their energetic sound with the thrill of the opening tracks “Falling In A Dream” and “Waste My Time.” Both numbers embody a powerful wave of punk rock. In it, infectious chorus bits alongside sharp guitar riffs are formed. The chemistry is pretty catchy, especially so when the singer pours their soul into each segment. The album’s title track “Playing With Matches” has a marvelous cadence. The melody is refreshing and pays homage to classic Avril Lavigne tracks of the early 2000s. Particularly the chorus of this track was so darn fascinating. It’s like a flame that never goes out, and SPIES ignited that fire with a burning passion.

“Speed Of Light” is one of the more emotional ones of the album. This arrives from the narrative and the sentimental guitar solo. The tune had a solid resonance, and it continued further with the ending song “Paper Thin.” The album’s exit had a groovy bassline and a funky tempo going along with it.