What does it take to make an honest album? Or better yet, what does it take just to make it?
With two successful albums under its belt, the Motor City's Sponge turned local ripples into national waves.
With MTV videos, magazine spreads and full-scale tours, Sponge seemed to be on the right road.
Now Sponge may be one of the best candidates for a "Behind the Music" story after a near break-up, a lineup shake-up and a new EP that heralds some of the band's best material since its label debut "Rotting Piñata."
"For All the Drugs in the World" is chock-full of brokenhearted stories, drug abuse and eventual triumph.
Although lead singer Vinnie Dombrowski and guitarist Joey Mazzola are the only remaining members of the band's original lineup, the sound is still uniquely Sponge.
"Treat Me Wrong" opens the band's latest album in Sponge's traditional upbeat sing-a-long fashion.
With an infectious pop hook and lyrics craving listener participation, the band is quick to regain the attention lost with its less successful third album "New Pop Sunday."
The band's story - which quickly becomes the listener's - reaches its climax with "28 Days," the album's strongest song.
The guitar at the beginning shares a haunting similarity to Nirvana's "Territorial Pissings" but quickly retreats to more familiar grounds.
With a violent shriek accompanied by a rush of guitar and drums, the song screams for a live performance.
Although the track is the EP's musical powerhouse, the lyrics are the sweet creamy center of the track.
Other softer and more apologetic tracks such as "Love & Roses" and album closer "Dandelions Roar" provide a mix the album so desperately needs to let its audience breathe between tracks.
With lyrics that wave the white flag of surrender, "You're the sun/you're my lucky one," Dombrowski surrenders to love, at least for the time being.
If the formula needed to make a great album and maybe an even greater comeback combines an independent release with honest lyrics, Sponge might be the owner of the patent.
My only complaint is that with only six songs, the album comes to a close far too soon.
If you liked this album, you should also try: Sponge's first album "Rotting Piñata" and Sandbox's "Bionic."
Suggested listening: Driving in any type of precipitation, on a big grassy hill or before entering rehab
Where to find it: www.spongetheband.com or at any of the local metro Detroit music stores listed on the Web site
Price: $10
Previous albums: "Rotting Piñata" (1994), "Wax Ecstatic" (1996) and "New Pop Sunday" (1999)
