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VHS OR BETA: Bring On The Comets

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By: Kendall | in: Music |

VHS OR BETA has released their 3rd album.

VHS or Beta

When this disc arrived in my mailbox with its ultra high-glossy 8×10 and its scrambled cable TV cover, I couldn’t wait to throw it in the player. VOB has been part of the indie dance rock revolution before the Killers popularized it, and have led a healthy existence. The Kentucky act has been compared to New Order, Depeche Mode and Daft Punk. The influences can still be heard but when taking a look at their previous two albums, the songs have suddenly taken on a broader, yet darkly poppy side-step. They have been voted “Best new band” by Blender Magazine and Rolling Stone calls them an “Artist to watch”.

“Early on, I asked myself ‘Do I want to make records for one group of people, or do I want to write songs for the world?” That is the question Craig Pfunder, guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter for VHS OR BETA states he asked himself before going into the creation of the new album. “Through the course of being a band we’ve experimented with a lot of different sounds, But this record is about making a statement as far as us freeing ourselves any musical history we’ve had in our past.” I will admit that the style is definitely changed a bit, but the world may not be changed by this new album. On first listen you are brought into the know with the 1:08 instrumental called “Euglama”, and gets your for the most party ready for the 11 tracks to come. Initially you will be surprised by the more of the poppy tinges coming through in tracks like “Love In My Pocket”, but not too worry. “Can’t Believe A Single Word” brought me back with a more anathematic piano-pulsed desperation and kept me listening. The following track “Burn It All down” will keep the blood pulsing, and keep even the truest 80’s fans interested (D. I’m looking for your weigh in on this one), with it’s British new-wave sounding vocals, guitars filled with delay and reverb and synths accenting the whole thing. The title track feels a bit nostalgic in a good way.

VHS or Beta

Overall the album is good summer fun and a definite expansion of sound for the band, keeping them from being too pigeon-holed in with some of their dance rock brethren. It will probably scare off some old fans that are holding on too tightly to the previous two albums, and will probably gain the respect of the listeners that are looking for a departure from the norm. I think that there will likely be an argument similar to the Rilo Kiley article a couple days back between fans.

Burn It All Down

Bring On The Comets

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Posted on August 30, 2007

Comments

2 Responses to “VHS OR BETA: Bring On The Comets”

  1. mozzer on September 1st, 2007 9:32 am

    I absolutely loved VHS or Beta’s “Night on Fire”. They seem more sure of their music writing on this one; the songs seem a bit fuller. It’s a bit different than previous outings, but I’m already sold. Great write-up Kendall.


  2. vakilpartow on September 5th, 2007 2:42 pm

    Love this album. You can’t help but want to play it over and over again. Good times to be had while it’s playing. I highly recommend it.


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