The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features

VHS or Beta

Bring On the Comets | Astralwerks
By MIKAEL WOOD  |  August 20, 2007
0.5 0.5 Stars
insideBRINGONTHECOMETS
This amiable Louisville-based trio drew acclaim in indie circles a few years ago with a groove-heavy live-band take on Daft Punk’s deep-pile disco house. Since then, VHS or Beta have convinced themselves that there’s more worth exploring in verse-chorus rock songs than in all-instrumental jams. Which is too bad: Night on Fire, the band’s first full-length, sacrificed what made their debut EP so distinctive in a misguided attempt to keep up with the Killers. And the same goes for their sophomore set. A handful of tracks sport catchy-enough new-wave melodies — the key change in “Love in My Pocket” is an admirable trick — but for the most part, singer-songwriter Craig Pfunder doesn’t justify the presence of vocals and lyrics. Airless and predictable, “Can’t Believe a Single Word” and “Burn It All Down” sound like cutting-room scraps by Franz Ferdinand. The wordless, minute-long opener “Euglama,” though — that’s worth digging.

VHS or Beta + Walter Meego + Dj Carbo | Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Boston | August 28 | 617.566.9014
Related: The French are coming, Review: DJ Hero, Justice, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Entertainment, Music, Pop and Rock Music,  More more >
  • Share:
  • Share this entry with Facebook
  • Share this entry with Digg
  • Share this entry with Delicious
  • RSS feed
  • Email this article to a friend
  • Print this article
Comments
VHS or Beta
holy fuck is it irritating to hear this band accused of aping dancy hacks of a few years back. i've seen this band since they were making squaling noise in southern indiana warehouses years ago, teaching rock kids to dance a few years after that. i cannot fault them for deciding to sing to all the foxy ladies that shake it at the shows. these dudes rock the house.
By newsletter_jhmarrett@hotmail.com on 08/23/2007 at 2:26:14
VHS or Beta
God forbid a band record an album that's (Lord help me) different from the one previous. If the reviewer had an open mind, he could appreciate this amazing album. Yes, many of the tracks are pop-ish. And what's wrong with that? Oh Lord, stop me, I'm singing along with the lyrics and stomping me feet at the same time. Yes, I will agree, the first track is amazing. However, it does not stop there. This band, and this album, rocks. I wish them all the success in the world, and am looking forward to seeing them this Tuesday in Boston.
By bootleg on 08/26/2007 at 12:18:03

[ 11/26 ]   Cartells  @ Wolf Den @ Mohegan Sun
[ 11/26 ]   "Thanksgiving Night of Super Stars"  @ Roxy
[ 11/26 ]   Orch Septentrional  @ Moseley's on the Charles
[ 11/26 ]   "Mash-Ups & Top 40"  @ Wonder Bar
[ 11/26 ]   "Signature Thursdays"  @ Rumor
ARTICLES BY MIKAEL WOOD
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   ANNIE | DON'T STOP  |  November 17, 2009
    Things have gotten pretty crowded in the electro-pop demi-monde since Annie released her indie-hit debut, Anniemal , back in 2004.
  •   JACKSON 5 | I WANT YOU BACK! UNRELEASED MASTERS  |  November 10, 2009
    If you’ve ever wondered how great it might be to hear a slowed-down version of “ABC” that lacks all the youthful charm of the original, this set of previously unreleased Jackson 5 recordings is for you.
  •   PINK MARTINI | SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS  |  October 30, 2009
    The members of Portland’s Pink Martini have covered plenty of well-known songs in their decade and a half together, like “Que Sera, Sera” on their 1997 debut, and the theme from I Dream of Jeannie in their early live shows.
  •   ERIN MCKEOWN | HUNDREDS OF LIONS  |  October 21, 2009
    This local folkie has spent the past few years sifting through the ample riches of the Great American Songbook, first on 2006’s excellent Sing You Sinners , then on Lafayette , a spirited follow-up taped live at Joe’s Pub in New York.
  •   BARONESS | BLUE RECORD  |  October 14, 2009
    For a band of ultra-prosaic album titlers, Baroness are big thinkers when it comes to their music.

 See all articles by: MIKAEL WOOD

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group