I know that if you're the kind of person who reads this site, by now you've probably heard a ton about this band. The truth is I've been sitting on this track for a few months because I'm conflicted--not about the band, they're great--but about what to do when I've got something to post I'm excited about when the album won't actually be available for weeks, if not months. I still haven't made up my mind but I thought on this one I'd wait til the album was actually out and available. So now it's out, although not quite up yet on eMusic although their EP is.
Obviously what we do here is talk about bands we like--you know by now this isn't really a critic site. If we don't like something, we don't write about it. This place exists to share music we like with others. But sometimes I worry that the lag between hype and when you can actually get your hands on something is too long--especially given the speed of the internets to move on to the next thing. I don't have an answer, I don't expect anyone else, or myself to stop posting music as soon as we get it, someone else is going to anyway. But still, it's something I've been thinking a lot about lately.
Anyway, I saw Vietnam open for Jenny Lewis last fall it was a hell of a show. The comparisons to Dylan are obvious, but it's really more like The Band, with Dylan and that is quite all right with me. Live they thrased the hell out of the 9:30 Club. They may have looked a little scary--especially compared to Jenny, but they made the club feel like home. I loved that they came out at the end for the Handle with Care cover.
Vietnam clearly harkens back to rock of an earlier time but their anguished vocals and guitars keep it fresh. Their frequent use of names in songs and titles makes you feel like they're at a house party singing to their friends.
Somehow A Passing Feeling was able to squeeze this record in under my radar, despite the fact that I wore out their EP and played phone tag with these guys for ages (and ultimately missed their only LA show! Sorry dudes!). The point is, I love this band, and I love their new record. It came out back in November, if you can believe it, on this high quality hand-screened package. I think it was a short run of 150.
They've just got a great energy, writing sick pop songs. They're not snotty punks, but they've definitely pissed in those corners before. I don't know why they're not more popular. This is just a fun band with big hooks, sing-along choruses and the singer has a great voice. Their songs are just built to catch.
At any rate, I want everyone to go pick up a copy of the record. It's one of my favorites, and hasn't left my car stereo for a minute. And as we all try to keep warm in our various states and depths of snow, it's nice to have some fucking heat from a solid rock band. There's nothing cozy about this record, but that doesn't mean it won't keep your warm.
