post hype
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.