Violens, "V"
Comprised of New York-based artists, Violens (pronounced Vy-lenz, as indicated on their MySpace music page) have a refreshingly retro style. Sounding as if they could have just stepped off a time machine from the 1960s, Violens possess the spirit of Billboard chart toppers from decades past.
Without knowing any better, a listener of Violens' latest release, a four-track EP titled "V," could easily mistake them for a band from rock 'n roll's heyday - someone who may have opened for The Kinks during their American tour in 1965. The song "Violent Sensation Descends" incorporates a wheezy organ introduction with scratchy guitars that sound out of place in this decade. Easily the best song on the EP, "Violent Sensation Descends" showcases everything this band does well: effortlessly share complex emotions, span multiple musical styles and compose and overall incredible tune.
Interestingly, Violens could just as easily been at home in the 1980s, with wailing synths as a staple in each of the four tracks featured on "V." "Doomed," the third track, is easily the most charming, with a peppy melody and light-hearted vocals. The bass line evokes memories of California surfing in a Beach Boys-esque style, yet the synth-driven chorus could just as easily have been composed by Wham!
Despite all these similarities, Violens are distinctly unique, especially in today's pop music scene. Ambient vocals combined with the synthesized melody make for a dreamy experience, such as the echoing acoustic guitars and vocals on the first track, "Already Over."
Listening to "V" is an ethereal experience, as the band undoubtedly intended. Violens cite their musical influences as being "seashells, dreadlocks, gems, sand, veins, ribbons [and] steel," and sounding like "descriptions of nightmares, the passing of time, speculations on spiritual messages [and] accounts of hallucinations." "Doomed" instantly relaxes the senses and allows for an open and rewarding musical journey.
The only bad remark to make about this album is that it is entirely too short - not only because it is comprised of just four tracks, but also because each track rarely lasts for longer than three minutes. Impressively, despite such a short play time, "V" is one of the most impressive releases of the year, and the excellence of their debut EP leaves listeners wondering why the band is not more popular.
*Published in 2009 Issue 13 of The Globe.
http://www.pointparkglobe.com/2.7417/rockin-reviews-violens-v-1.1039713
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