A Post-Punk Post Paper Party I: Viet Cong - Viet Cong

Viet Cong - Viet Cong

I remember last year like it was three weeks ago. A lot has changed since then. One of those things is a band called Viet Cong has released their debut album, Viet Cong, after the same band, Viet Cong, released an EP not titled Viet Cong, but 'Cassette', instead. The importance of this cannot and will not be understated. 

I remember listening to Cassette, but could not tell anyone anything about it.

This album, on the other hand, is like being given some really bad news, all at the same time and also someone is slapping you a bit after each couple of sentences. Fast-paced and intensive, this album will give you almost no time to reflect, and the thirty seconds it does give you is immediately followed up with the aforementioned slap in the face. There's a lot to figure out here and it's no surprise that a big ole ignoramus like me, who earlier today headbutted the door of kitchen cupboard, feels overwhelmed at the prospect of communicating this album's urgent and dark demeanor.

I will say this very much feels like being the only house in a ten mile radius and a distance tornado is powering towards you, which is cool because I've always wanted to storm chase.

Possibly negative imagery has been used but really this album is quite cool.

****

Some super fun good songs I will listening to this week are as follows:

• The Phantom Band - Tender Castle
• Modest Mouse - Coyotes
• Django Django - First Light

Dan Mangan + Blacksmith - Club Meds

Right well, first things first, what a good collection of beards in one band:

Dan Mangan Photograph: PR

Better catch up quick there, Mister Number Two From The Right.

I suppose the album itself is quite good. There's a lot of good actually inside this album. That there first song 'Offred' is quite a nice introductory song, a nice gentle easing into the darkish, moody nature of the album. 

Of course, straight after that, 'Vessel', upbeat, jaunty piano that makes me look a right fool.

'Mouthpiece' grabs your attention quick, comforting acoustic guitar strum. Loud, long shouts of "dance" and the use of the word "fuckery" is always a plus in my book. Not to mention that one bit with the two word phrases comin' at you smooth like a rowboat.
The broodiness returns with this song, making me feel more confident in my judgement.

This next song 'A Doll's House / Pavlovia', I've heard compared to Radiohead. I can't say I see it but I can relate Dan Mangan's voice to our Lord and Saviour Thom Yorke's voice in that they both sound like I shouldn't really like them, but I reckon one could melt butter and the other cuboid it back up again. Which is a compliment to both.

To save this becoming a song-by-song review which I can't be bothered to write I'll just give a summary quick here:

Pretty decent.
How many stars?
********
8.

MMXV - A Terrible Idea to Write Some God-awful Music Reviews.

MMXV, the year William Hamilton started writing one or two things about some albums he sometimes listens to every now and again. Mostly stuff what he hears in 2015. Occasionally good stuff what he hears in 2015. Almost entirely poorly written and filled with quasi-intelligent ramblings of someone who should probably be doing something better.

Muuuuuussssiiiiiicccccccc aaawwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy!

PS. I fully expect to be picked up by Pitchfork by the end of my third month.

PPS. If not, fuck those guys.

my journey through life and the united kingdom

6 am - its early
7.17 am - boat time
7.45 am - boatfast breakfast breakmast boat puns about breakfast.
8.28 am - boy this boat sure likes to rock
8.33 am - clarification: from side to side, not all night, or 'n' roll
8.59 - I wish I was so important I would receive phone calls from the boat
9.52 - "How are things on the west coast [of Scotland] " "Fine, thanks for asking".
11.08 - // Long Pause
9.32 pm - oops I forgot about this

a thanks

to you 7 pageviewers:

i do it ALL for you.

you guys

• i'm pretty sure 3 were me.

with love

-william x

hi

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