Vivian Girls
Since the release of their self-titled debut in 2008, Vivian Girls have been synonymous with fast-paced garage-rock—a unique sound that is part noise-fueled grunge, part 1960s girl-group pop. If you listen to just the first eighteen seconds of “The Other Girls,” the opening song on their third album, Share the Joy, which is being released tomorrow, April 12, it will seem as though nothing has changed; we’re treated to the same fuzz-heavy guitars and pummeling drums that have driven almost all of their work to date—and is particularly reminiscent of “When I’m Gone,” the standout track from 2009’s Everything Goes Wrong. However, don’t be fooled. For those of us with an attention span of more than half a minute, it’s easy to hear a seismic shift in direction from the Brooklyn-based trio: Out of nowhere the galloping pace slows to a gentle trot, the guitar loosens up, and lead singer Cassie Ramone’s voice seems to take on a wounded quality as she chants noticeably more reflective lyrics, such as “I don’t want to live my life like the other girls.” All of this works to send a clear message: Vivian Girls are a band in transition. But transitioning into what?
“Whenever we read reviews of our first two albums, they would focus more on the sound of the record,” explains Ramone. “But I consider myself a songwriter, not a sound engineer.”
That said, there are still moments on their new album where Vivian Girls’ ability to create pounding, concise indie ballads is clearly on display. “I Heard You Say,” the first single to be released from Share the Joy, is an echoey gem, but with the trademark dirty guitars and chilly distance shelved and replaced with a warmer, more welcoming sound.
“It definitely has more of a seventies vibe than anything we’ve ever done,” Ramone continues. “I wanted to try and bring the songwriting more to the forefront, so it’s like the Carpenters meets Neil Young.”
ps. i am not sure they should be "the band of the week"
“Whenever we read reviews of our first two albums, they would focus more on the sound of the record,” explains Ramone. “But I consider myself a songwriter, not a sound engineer.”
That said, there are still moments on their new album where Vivian Girls’ ability to create pounding, concise indie ballads is clearly on display. “I Heard You Say,” the first single to be released from Share the Joy, is an echoey gem, but with the trademark dirty guitars and chilly distance shelved and replaced with a warmer, more welcoming sound.
“It definitely has more of a seventies vibe than anything we’ve ever done,” Ramone continues. “I wanted to try and bring the songwriting more to the forefront, so it’s like the Carpenters meets Neil Young.”
ps. i am not sure they should be "the band of the week"
via vogue.us
