EP Review: Kittie – Spit XXV (Sumerian Records)

Canadian heavy music pioneers Kittie mark a quarter-century milestone with the release of ‘Spit XXV’, a four-track EP celebrating the 25th anniversary of their gold-certified debut album. The collection features freshly re-recorded versions of ‘Brackish XXV’, ‘Charlotte XXV’, ‘Do You Think I’m A Whore XXV’ and the title track ‘Spit XXV’, all produced, once again, by Garth Richardson who helmed the original 1999 sessions at EMAC Studios. The EP arrives September 19th via Sumerian Records.

The revival in Kittie’s popularity in recent times has been so deserved, especially as the group are putting out some killer music, but here, it’s all about nostalgia and depending upon your age, it will hit differently.

I was 16 when the original Spit came out, and now that I’ve stopped rocking with despair, I can thoroughly enjoy the hell out of a rejuvenated Kittie looking backwards and giving some of their most iconic tracks the modern treatment. Sure, it’s disappointing to only have four tracks (and for it to be missing Get Off), but you know what, who cares!? This is super cool, and modern Kittie sound better then ever, even if the EP doesn’t quite have the raw energy of the original album.

The spirit is there though, it’s just a bit more grown-up, evident by the changes that show off a more refined edge and how the bass is a more prominent feature, which helps give it a meatier sound. Both Spit and Brackish are great examples of this, as both are Kittie at their wildest, and they equally turn back the clock and drag us all kicking and screaming into the now with two killer reimaginings. I particularly love the latter as it was one of two tracks I heard first, and what turned me into a fan. Although no shade thrown at Do You Think I’m A Whore? or Charlotte as those are great examples of what made Kittie more than just another heavy band, albeit one way ahead of their time.

There’s nothing to complain about here, and these versions don’t replace the originals, so if you prefer them, have at it. However, for the rest of us, it’s a chance to drown in nostalgia and appreciate just how far this band has come. All hail Kittie.

Kittie – Spit XXV Track Listing:

1. Spit XXV
2. Do You Think I’m A Whore? XXV
3. Brackish XXV
4. Charlotte XXV

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