Review
The Spotlight Syndicate
Forget the Static Past

Substandard (2003) — Zed

The Spotlight Syndicate – Forget the Static Past cover artwork
The Spotlight Syndicate – Forget the Static Past — Substandard, 2003

So I get this girl up in my room and we start licking each other's tongues, and before you know it, our clothes start to come off. But then all of a sudden, bam! I realize I need to put on some good love making music, or I ain't gonna get no gerjiner tonight. I start flipping through possible albums and by chance I come upon ...Forget The Static Past by The Spotlight Syndicate. With little or no hesitation I began playing this rocking little ditty. Her reactions were mixed at first, but in the end, I put it in her end. This story could very well be false.

You are probably asking yourself at this point, what made me decide to play this and not Keanu Reeves's Dog Star? Simply, because this album is good for nearly any situation, including "filling the flat tire with smiles and a bright yellow sunrise". If you're in the dancing mood, the butt romping punk influenced beats, the rolling Gang Of Four esque bass lines, and post electrocution keyboard riffs will inspire even the most Caucasian listener. If you are a casual music fan and just want some good pop music, look no further than this Substandard release. On the other end of the spectrum, if you're an avid music follower, be prepared for the tractor beam. For you are about to get sucked into this rock 'n' roll scenario.

With each listen I realize how much more this album is just fucking rock 'n' roll, but not without the flatness that so many "rock 'n' roll revival" bands seem to carry with them. One way that this is pretty obvious is in the lyrics, there is an actual backbone to them. The style seems to be influenced by hardcore and punk rock, with, for the most part, four to five word lines. They combine a nice combination of vagueness and literal phrasing that allows you to have an idea of what he's talking about, but the equations haven't been filled in for you yet. And if you ever decide to see them live, be ready to sing "one last chance, dance!" in the moment of silence. It is quite the fun moment.

The lack of a guitar isn't really that noticeable, due to the fullness that the other instruments provide, but the addition of this legendary six stringed axe could result in a even more full sounding sound. In no way does it sound bad though, don't get me wrong. From the newer songs I heard, this seems to be addressed. This is their first release, and I can only see their musical creations rising in every category, minus suck. At times when nearly every band is trying to create the most epic/brutal sound, it's nice that a fun record can come out that has integrity and can be felt viscerally.

8.3 / 10 — Zed • February 28, 2004

The Spotlight Syndicate – Forget the Static Past cover artwork
The Spotlight Syndicate – Forget the Static Past — Substandard, 2003

Related features

Related news

Terror (no pun intended...ok maybe a little bit)

Posted in Breaking News on March 5, 2004

Recently-posted album reviews

David Eugene Edwards

Mercurial Silence
Sargent House (2026)

David Eugene Edwards's 2023 full-length Hyacinth was a significant turn in his musical journey. Americana still defined much of the record's spirit, from the guitar lines and the song structures, but the backbone was forged in electronica. While this shift was sonically significant, it did not alter Edwards's existential and ritualistic interests. In fact it amplified these concepts, imbuing his … Read more

Nagusame

I Want To Leave
White Russian Records (2026)

Nagusame are not reinventing melodic metalcore on I Want To Leave. They wear their influences openly, and anyone familiar with Shai Hulud, Misery Signals, or early-2000s metalcore will hear them almost immediately. What keeps the EP from feeling like simple nostalgia is what Nagusame does with those influences, especially the guitars.The guitars are what stay with me when I Want … Read more

AIH

Self-Titled EP
Independent (2026)

EP HIGHLIGHTS – “McEnroe” & “Ten Speed”Hatching out of COVID boredom between friends down on NYC’s Lower East Side, drummer Doug Stern and vocalist-guitarist Brian Runk casually kickstarted AIH by jamming through some classic rock and early punk covers. It's a preference that’s made abundantly clear via their high-energy live shows and staple sound of sturdy guitar, memorable chant-driven hooks … Read more