Review of This Is Spinal Tap (1984) by Ming Xien Y — 15 Sep 2009
This Is Spinal Tap is the brilliant rockumentary from the pen of Christopher Guest et al that follows the aging British rock band, Spinal Tap on an ill fated tour of the US. The characters at the core of the band and the ancillaries are beautifully observed and rounded, the idea that this is a real rock band is totally believable.
Tap's backstory extends to all previous album reviews - Shark Sandwich: shit sandwich, various incarnations - The Originals, The New Originals... and an entire catalogue of Status Quo style records such as Sex Farm, Big Bottoms and the Marillion inspired Stonehenge.
Nods to The Last Waltz are surely Marty DiBergi as Scorsese and the sex, drugs and rock and roll of the keyboardist; the carnivorous record industry is wonderfully portrayed with Ian Faith, Bobi Fleckman, Sir Denis Eton Hogg and Artie Fufkin; Tap themselves you could watch for hours.
Watch again and again and again, you'll laugh every time - a work of genius.
This review of This Is Spinal Tap (1984) was written by Ming Xien Y on 15 Sep 2009.
This Is Spinal Tap has generally received very positive reviews.
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