We last reviewed Detroit four piece Splitters back in 2016 following the release of their excellent debut, Last Time I Swear. In December 2018, the band – which consists of members from Break Anchor, Due North and Cheapshow – put out a new three song EP named Short Shrift on Little Rocket Records which I was very much looking forward to listening to.
Short Shrift begins with the song Algorithm. If you've not heard Splitters before then I'd best describe them as a slower tempo Lawrence Arms with more of a rock 'n' roll edge to them. Algorithm starts really slowly with just a basic guitar part and vocalist Ben's spiky vocal easing us in to the track. Soon enough the rest of the band join in and we have big sing-along chorus of "we're getting short shrift to everything, look how we're doing now." From there we get a great guitar solo before leading into what I think is the first proper verse. I liked how Ben kind of spoke/sang the verse, it gives the style a bit of a new and fresh take.
Doesn't Matter Why sees Splitters up the tempo with a great opening guitar part that allows you to feel like something great is on its way. When those vocals come in the excitement has built up enough in you that you just want to sing every word back at Splitters as loud and as passionately as you can. The song is about looking back at things in your past and realising that things change and it's no use reflecting on it. It's a kind of a reflective song about not being reflective. The ending was a big highlight with some great gang vocals repeating the line "all that's over now." I love the recording of these gang vocals – they feel slightly muted and not in your face, giving more of a mature vibe.
The third and final song is named Ugly. Splitters are so good at starting songs. All three of these tracks have had me wanting to sing along before even knowing the words. Here it builds slowly in again before the words "there's a reckoning..." come in. The song sees the band go back to a slower tempo but it's packed with an infectious melody that really pulls you in, along with chorus of "good fucking bye ambivalence, I'm out." I love a simple chorus I can pick up quickly and Ugly certainly has that. There's a hint of anger in Ben's vocal that adds some emotion to the track. It's about wanting to get out of a situation you don't want to be in and wishing the best for everyone involved in the future.
Splitters are one of the American punk scenes' best kept secrets. They have this great quality of feeling familiar but also having a freshness to them that not many bands have. I'm not sure how much of a full time thing Splitters is but they are a great band and I'd love for them to find their way to London at some point so I can catch them live.
Stream and download Short Shrift here: https://splittersdetroit.bandcamp.com/
Like Splitters here: https://www.facebook.com/splittersdetroit/
This review was written by Colin Clark.
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