Droning post-punk, with splashes of phychadelia and a refusal to rest on one groove. Guitarist Matt Flegel and drummer Mike Wallace are former members of the defunct and beloved post-punk band Women, who’s comparison the band will deservedly benefit from. Women’s unfortunately-short existence has fed into the tenacity of this album. The band members seem to be letting loose a torrent of pent up musicality and not a moment of this album is just filler.
The mix is engrossing. Viet Cong weave drones throughout tracks while retaining some pop-structure that’s really gripping.
The opener, Newspaper Spoons, starts with pummeling artillery-like percussion, followed by searing guitar, meandering vocals, and ending with a swirling organ. Throughout the album, fluttering guitar and organ parts (like the end of Newspaper Spoons) pan from left to right, swirl, recede and disintegrate into distortion. Their crashing and searing guitars blaze in and out, but the vocals are always up-front.
Viet Cong’s debut shouldn’t be missed and is perfect winter accompaniment.
Play: 5,4,6,1,2,3,7
RIYL: Women, Eagulls, No Age, Freak Heat Waves
FCC: None
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