"Inspiral" is not a word

• Artist: Inspiral Carpets
  
• Album: The Beast Inside
  
• Year: 1991
  
• Why I picked it up: I wasn't sure if "inspiral" was a word, and I wanted to remember to check.

Inspiral Carpets is a fantastic early-90s rock group with an equal mix of guitar, vocals, and synthesizer. Their music is active and full of momentum, even if that sometimes conflicts with the lyrics. Even though it sometimes seems like the music is too upbeat for the frequently dark subject matter, it somehow works. The album does falter a bit near the end, particularly with the too-slow "Niagara", but other than that the album is an exemplar of early-90s synth rock.

Fun fact: The band Oasis took their name from an Inspiral Carpets poster. Thanks, Wikipedia!

• Standout track: Beast Inside
  
• MySpace: Inspiral Carpets
  
• How much I would've paid: $10
  
• Rating: 4/5