Husband and wife partnership VIVA VOCE release their brand-spankin new single, taken from their forthcoming album “Get Yr Blood Sucked Out” (released September 12th), and it is fucking brilliant.
Despite the visceral nature of the single/album titles (their last album was called “The Heat Will Melt Your Brain”) suggestive of Norwegian Death Metal, their music is a mesh of psychedelic indie, with influences as wide-ranging from The Mamas and Papas (there are some cheeky M&Ps harmony references in this particular single), Jesus and Mary Chain, and the Breeders, to name but a few. Make no bones about it, Viva Vose are heavy, but more in terms of their messages than the accessible, jingly sound they produce.
“From the Devil Himself” is a rolling, bluesy number with some 1960’s West Coast harmonies thrown in. It’s a much welcome jibe at the music industry, “He had a dirty mind/And he sent this note/’We’re gonna get some money for nothing/ On every song you wrote/ Oh No, You’re gonna get your blood sucked out…” Agreed.
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Some might say that their musical similarity to The Mamas and the Papas/Byrds/ and most bands produced by Alan MaGee is pastiche and derivative. I’d argue that it’s more of a homage to a much loved genre of music borne out of a genuine interest of these styles – which is vastly preferable to bands churning out a load of bollocks cause it’s currently the NME flavour of the month. You can tell when a band is derivative, and when they are doing what they do because of genuine passion. Viva Voce are a good example of the latter.
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