Dispassionate dishonesty is the black lung of today’s popular music. I, for one, am tired of being served the same soggy, disappointing McSong over and over again – it’s never as good as it looks in the picture and it rarely fills you up. I’m hungry for some real meat and, ladies and gents, I think I just found the sirloin. Describing themselves as an “alternative rock band dedicated to writing honest and passionate music,” Vices I Admire is cooking it up and throwing it at you, whether you like it or not.
Vices I Admire is but a humble group of four Denverites, who are slowly pushing their way through Shit Creek with a paddle made of pure Rock. Their new EP, Venom and Pride, is a 15-minute dash over white-water rapids and razor sharp rocks. It’s fast, it’s crazy, it’s fun.
The first track and single of Venom and Pride, “Hero,” is only the starter pistol; the album doesn’t lose any momentum until the whole race is over. “Hero” has just about everything any good piece of altrock needs: some choppy distorted guitar riffs, a killer chorus, some dynamic variety, and wicked backing vocals.
However, the real Hero of this record is the second track, “Forever.” It starts off innocently enough, but by the end of the track, you’ll be searching for your socks. Once the lead singer, David Curtis, gets going in the first verse the song really starts to rip. His vocal rhythms are percussive and soothing, and it’s all layered on top of a syncopated guitar riff and a steady kick drum pulse. In the later half of the song, a whole choir comes in to do backing vocals – something quite unheard of in the style of rock.
This record is a pretty package, wrapped in a bow. Every track is wonderfully mixed. The many vocal tracks all fit together like a jigsaw. The guitar overlays stand out but don’t muddy things up. The drums hang back and give the rest of the group support.
Fans of Foxy Shazam will definitely get something out of this record. Dave Curtis’ soaring vocals are reminiscent or Eric Sean Nally’s, Foxy’s front man. Followers of The Toadies will appreciate the record’s rhythmic complexity and heavy sound.
Vices I Admire have delivered a refreshing departure from the norm in Venom and Pride – don’t miss it!
Rating: 4/5 STARS!!!
Album Name: Venom and Pride
Date Released: November, 2011
Genre(s): Alternative/Indie Rock
Location: Denver, Colorado
Band Members: Dave Curtis-Vocals, Dan Battenhouse-Bass, Mickey Dollar-Guitar, Mark Towne-Drums
Website: www.vicesiadmire.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vicesiadmireband
MySpace: www.myspace.com/vicesiadmire
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/vicesiadmire
Bandcamp: http://vicesiadmire.bandcamp.com/