Review Summary: The public got distracted, Span were forgotten.
I'd forgive you for not knowing Span, i'd be more than surprised if you had even heard of them or the album released afterwards (VS. Time). The story is simple and one told of time after time, one of those bands you clung to in your adolescence that no one knew of or had even heard of just break up and that's the end of it.
It has been around over 6 years since I purchased this album( do you even remember actually buying albums?) and the Norwegian rockers still manage to disfigure and beat my head in after all this time. This is not a record for the bleeding hearts desperate for an emotional connection, this record is akin to when aerosmith were actually relevant with "Rocks" or when you were crushed under Soundgardens "Superunknown" To put it simply Span were a force to rival any rock band in there time then and now.
Funny guy. I made a big claim so where is the substantial backing for this. The rythmn section has to be tight and interesting amongst the lead on offer, the riffs and licks that dominate this album happily satisfies this demand. Tracks like "Papa" "Don't Think The Way They Do" "Found" may be simple in nature but the point is already established, Mass Distraction is not a slow burner. Ballads are not of a concern "Missing In Stereo" is the closest the album comes to dropping in fury but even that is rectified towards the end.
Here is what comes down to, the feeling of nostalgia and the songs that accompanied you in that time of your life, "On My Way Down" rings of summer and past love or simply "Stay As You Are" when i just needed to just headbang. Span may not have the same emotional connection to me as something like Brand New "The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Of Me" they are more of an old friend who I lost contact with but still pops through my mind every now and again reminding of good times spent with them.
Favourite tracks - On My Way Down, Found, Baby's Come Back
