Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
As a lifelong devotee of This Is Spinal Tap, the film, the soundtrack, the Stonehenge debacle, I approached The End Continues with the kind of cautious optimism usually reserved for reunion tours and reheated lasagna. Could it possibly match the glorious absurdity of the original 1984 masterpiece? Or would it be, dare I say, another Shark Sandwich?
Well, dear Tapheads, I’m delighted to report that while the amps may no longer go all the way to 11, they still hum with a charming, geriatric buzz that’s impossible not to love.
From Cheese Shops to Glue Museums: The Boys Are Back
The accompanying film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, sets the tone perfectly. Marty DiBergi returns to document the band’s final hurrah, dragging Nigel Tufnel out of his cheese-and-guitar shop (yes, he’s designed guitars with tiny cheese cupboards in the back; something only Nigel can do without it seeming odd). David St. Hubbins is now composing hold music for true-crime podcasts, and Derek Smalls curates a glue museum in Tooting, where he gets a bottle stuck up his nose. Is there any truer version of Rock n Roll?
Their reunion is prompted by a contractual clause unearthed by their late manager’s daughter, Hope Faith (who sadly lacks a good lump of wood) requiring one last concert. Cue the chaos, the cameos (Paul McCartney, Elton John), and the inevitable search for a drummer who won’t spontaneously combust (drummer number eleven).
A Journey Through Time and Tap.
The album clocks in at a tight 43 minutes; just long enough to enjoy with a pint and a pork pie (or olives with a little guy in there!) and features 13 tracks that blend nostalgia, satire, and surprisingly poignant reflections on aging.
‘Nigel’s Poem’ opens the album with a string arrangement that’s as delicate as Nigel’s ego.
‘Let’s Just Rock Again’ sets the tone: “Even though we’re old and grey, This feels like starting over.” Its Survivor meets Werther’s Originals. Great ‘Europe-esque’ keyboards and an odd balance of vocals ranges.
‘(Listen to the) Flower People’ gets a glam-rock facelift courtesy of Elton John, who turns the psychedelic fluff into a full-blown anthem. His later appearance on “Stonehenge” is a showstopper. His piano solo ends in a literal collapse of the stage set, crushing props and egos alike. It’s perfect.
‘Brighton Rock’ and ‘Judge and Jury’ offer classic Tap riffs, while ‘The Devil’s Just Not Getting Old’ is a lyrical triumph: ‘He’s not starting to lose his teeth, He’s not starting to eat less beef.’ Lyrics that if sung by any other band, just wouldn’t, well, land.
‘Cups and Cakes’, reimagined with Paul McCartney, is a whimsical delight. Macca’s chuckle at the start is pure gold. God knows how they kept a straight face during the recording. A real high light during the movie, and in the theatre, I was in, people couldn’t keep their laughter internally contained. It was notable that the ridiculousness of it wasn’t lost on the audience.
‘I Kissed a Girl’ and ‘Angels’ veer into unexpected territory, with Derek crooning like a man who’s seen too much glue.
‘Rockin’ in the Urn’ and ‘Blood to Let’ tackle mortality with the same irreverence they once reserved for trousers stuffed with cucumbers. Let me just say that again; ‘Rocking in the Urn’. Is that just not enough to summarise the album? Brilliant title!
And yes, ‘Big Bottom’ returns. This time as a country duet with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. When Brooks belts “Talkin’ ’bout mud flaps,” Yearwood replies, “Yeah, I got ’em.” It’s offensive, juvenile, and utterly brilliant.
Now in their 70s, the trio’s songwriting is sharper than ever. There’s a maturity here. Not in the lyrics, obviously, but in the craftsmanship. The melodies are tight, the production crisp, and the jokes land with the kind of timing only decades of friendship (and failed tours) can produce.
Is It As Good As the First Album?
Let’s be honest: The End Continues doesn’t have the raw, heavy punch of Big Bottom or the sleazy swagger of Hell Hole. But that’s okay. This isn’t a band trying to relive their youth, it’s a band reflecting on it, laughing at it, and inviting us to laugh along.
It’s not just a soundtrack. It’s a victory lap. A fond farewell. A reminder that rock and roll isn’t about age, it’s about attitude. And Tap, bless them, still have it in spades. Just wait until you see the chemistry between Nigel and DiBergi this time round. Instead of instructing Marty not to point, this time Nigel is barking orders at Marty, telling him to think ‘in your head’ and not out loud.
So go get a bite, crank it to 10½, and enjoy the ride. Because while the end may continue, the laughter never stops.
Get tickets now for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, now playing in theaters and IMAX: https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/spinal-tap-ii
