Viva Stereo - Optimism Is Not A Curse
by Anthony Strutt
published: 26 / 9 / 2004
Label:
Viva
Format: CD
intro
Engaging debut album from new Glaswegian band, Viva Stereo, which recalls both Primal Scream and the Velvet Underground
Viva Stereo hail from Glasgow and divide their time between their native city and their second spiritual home of Manchester. Their music is reminiscent of the modern-sounding Primal Scream and also of the early Velvet Underground. 'Optimism is Not a Curse', their debut album, was produced by the Reindeer Scetion's Marcus Mackay and the Tennage Fanclub's Brendan O' Hare. The album is opened up with 'Cooper Wire', which is very lo-fi and trancey and has a lazy, but confident vocal which recalls the Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie during their 'Screamadelica' era. 'Cabin Fever' follows. More ravish, it sounds like a slower version of the Primals' 'Swastika Eyes'. 'Try Harder', which is more experimental, has jangling guitar throughout. Its bass is deep, its vocal is grainy and tortured and half way through it changes tempo and becomes more urgent to great effect. 'Memo to Sleep' has quiet vocals and an electro drum machine vibe. It starts of by recalling Liverpool's It's Immaterial, but by its end it has blown up to become a groovy indie disco party number. 'Caustic' has spoken word storyelling vocals and firmly picked guitar lines, but with its rave-style drums, it becomes more progressive as it develops adding brass and elements of jazz, and also throwing in some post-rock for good measure also. 'Seeping Wounds' is trancey with a tortured vocal and becomes faster as it progresses. 'When The Tourniquet Gets Undone' has sad violin and trumpet and a jangling guitar. It becomes quickly rocky sounding like a more interesting U2, then suddenly halfway through it goes quiet, and then starts it again sounding this time like an animated version of Jack. 'Jesus Son' and 'Quiescence' both again recall Primal Scream. The former finds the band in a dance mood, while the latter is slower. 'Wake' features a soft guitar with slow vocals and starts off sounding quite chilled, but then starts to rock out halfway through, while the well-crafted 'Honestly' recalls Tindersticks. The instrumental 'Reprise'is dubby and loud and ends the album. This is a fine album that deserves to be heard.
Track Listing:-
1 Copper Wire2 Cabin Fever
3 Try Harder
4 Memo To Self
5 Caustic
6 Seeping Wounds
7 Tourniquet
8 Jesus Son
9 Quiescence
10 Wake
11 Honesty
12 (Reprise)
reviews |
The Surface Has Been Scratched (2004) |
Debut EP from new Scottish four piece, which unfortunately wears its Primal Scream and Jesus and Mary Chain influences a little too openly on its sleeve |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Liam Gallagher and John Squire - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 16/3/2024
Nico - Profile
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Doug Dillard Expedition - Live At The Hotel Fremont, Las Vegas, September 1970
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadKula Shaker - Natural Magick
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Ty Segall - Three Bells
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Texas and Spooner Oldham - The Muscle Shoals Sessions
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart