Spitalfield is a four-piece from Chicago and plays emo rock. The band combines poppy emo with rock. This is what their bio says about 'Stop Doing Bad Things': It's a pop record for hardrockers.

That's interesting, but I don't think Spitalfield succeeds to fill in this concept fruitfully. The problem is: it seems the band can't choose. I mean, the mellow parts are great, the harmonies are really moving, until that snare kicks in. The sound of it is just right for distorted rock songs, but lays too much of a pressure on the mellow parts.

Lyrically the songs predominantly deal with relationships and 'being a band'. That last thing in my opinion is a bit lame. Bands singing about being in a band are like the media writing about the media-attention some newsfact gets in other media, it's just not original.

Well back to the music then. The noisy parts are quite good, but they lack that real catchyness you find on pop records. If you are into the emo rock genre you might want to check Spitalfield out. Though there's not much new to it, there are still some good songs on the album. The musicians are talented and the singer has a beautiful voice, but I would like to see this band make a choice and grow to live up to their potential.

Line Up:

- Rose Daniel Mark - Vocals
- Lowder Lynn Daniel - Guitar
- Minich Joseph Thomas - Bass
- Romero Daniel Jose - Drums

Track Listing:

1. So I Heard You Joined A Convent
2. Texa$ with a Dollar Sign
3. Gold Dust vs. State of Illinois
4. What Were You Thinking
5. Tampa Bum Blues
6. Restraining Order Blues
7. The Future is Now
8. Van Buren
9. From the Desk of B. Larson
10. Building a Better City by Design
11. Simple Minds, Simple Lives