Semi Precious Weapons calls their music “filthy glamour” and that’s about right for their style of glam/trash rock.  Frontman Justin Tranter formed the New York-based band with fellow Berklee College of Music students Cole Whittle (bass), Dan Crean (drums), and Aaron Lee Tasjan (guitar, and he was replaced in 2008 by Stevy Pyne).  Tranter is also a jewelry designer, and his profits from that enabled SPW to release their first CD, We Love You, as a free download.  It was later re-released under the Razor and Tie label. Voted by readers as The Village Voice’s “Best Band in New York” last year, SPW is currently appearing as a special guest act with Lady Gaga on the Monster Ball Tour and their sophomore album and first under the Geffen label, You Love You, drops on June 29th. 

SPW’s music is a frenzied mix of crashing guitars, surprisingly intricate melodies, and larger than life vocals.  The lyrics are often angry, occasionally filthy and/or hilarious, and always completely cocky.   Tranter has the charisma of Freddie Mercury and the style of Ziggy Stardust mixed with La Gaga herself, but he is very much his own persona, and, wow, is he fun to listen to.

You Love You is an odd CD in that three of the tracks actually appeared on We Love You: “Semi Precious Weapons,” “Magnetic Baby,” and “Rock N Roll Never looked so “Beautiful,” (all streaming on SPW’s MySpace page and also available as an EP) so for fans, there are really only six new songs.  Luckily they’re good songs, all in the same heavy glam rock vein.  Pyne’s intense guitar work rules, Crean rages on the drums, and Tranter’s voice is fabulously powerful.  Whittle does a surprising amount with his bass, and in fact these four work so well together that there are times you’d swear there were more members with more instruments playing.  Their sound is that rich.

It’s amazing that glammed up rock can be so gritty and raw, but SPW manages it and their cockiness is insanely charming and infectious.  They are both completely self-aware and totally self-indulgent.  This is music you thrash around to and how do you not sing along to “I can’t pay my rent, but I’m f*cking gorgeous?”  I love that they end You Love You with “Look at Me,” a stunning song that slows things down while keeping the gritty energy intact.  Oh, and the Parental Advisory?  Yeah, there’s good reason for it.  These guys do not censor themselves—their garage rock is rude and in your face, just in a spectacularly fabulous way. 

Track List:
1. Semi Precious Weapons
2. Put A Diamond in It
3. Magnetic Baby
4. Statues Of Ourselves
5. Sticky With Champagne
6. I Could Die
7. Leave Your Pretty To Me
8. Rock N Roll Never Looked So Beautiful
9. Look At Me