With the release of their last album, 2008’s Skeleton, Abe Vigoda firmly established themselves in a very unusual place for young bands today. They managed to find an original sound, their own niche, if you will. Described by some as “Tropical Punk”, their music is wonderfully dense and normally played at breakneck speeds. The songs are anchored by the frenetic picking of Michael Vidal and Juan Velazquez, whose guitars often sound more like steel drums or church bells than string instruments. It seems like an odd mix, but the band has nearly perfected it, perhaps even taking the style to its zenith. On Reviver, the never-static Abe Vigoda wisely decided to try something new. Most notably they have slowed down a bit and moved Vidal’s vocals, which sounded distant and muddled in previous albums, closer to the forefront. The result is something darker and more traditionally structured than their last release, yet still boldly experimental and distinctly Abe Vigoda.
The opener “Don’t Lie” is a clear indication of this transformation as evidenced by its cleaned-up vocals and sustained waves of distorted guitars. Thankfully, little has changed in Reggie Guerrero’s intricate drumming, which provides vibrancy and cohesiveness in abundance (he will be sorely missed). This is important for a band whose songs often sound as if they are going to fracture into tiny pieces at any moment. “Don’t Lie,” the EP’s opener, sounds more urgent than anything the outfit has put out in the past (this urgency is a recurring theme on the record). I certainly got the impression that A.V. may not have had as much fun recording this record as they did with past efforts; rather it appears as if they’re settling in musically, and finding their stride. In other words, they are maturing into artists willing to take chances. The joy from their last album has been replaced with gloom, as Vidal’s death-obsessed lyrics take center stage.
Nonetheless, A.V. proves they still have a good sense of humor with the inclusion of “Wild Heart”, a cover of a Stevie Nicks ballad from 1983. The band not only pulls the track off with flying colors, but they manage to throw down one of their best songs to date. This is a prime example why Vidal’s vocals should be more pronounced than they were on past recordings. His voice warbles and cracks, emoting the tortured sentiment of “Wild Heart’s” lyrics. It’s an impassioned triumph for Vidal, and proves that Abe Vigoda is in fact capable of displaying tenderness. The three other songs on Revivier explore both old and new territory. “House” and “Reaper” feature a rigid bass lines and twitchy guitars, a la art-rock contemporaries, TV on the Radio. “Endless Sleeper” is a rather forgettable cover of the Liars’ song of the same name, which tries its best to recall the breezy chant-rock of the original.
On the whole, Reviver only adds to the intrigue of what Abe Vigoda’s follow-up to Skeleton will sound like. Based on this EP, I would assume that they will continue to mature and extend their sound into yet unexplored territory. On the other hand, if you dug their, their high-energy punk aesthetic, chances are you may not have a whole lotta love for this record (unless you’re a fan of change). I must admit that I admire their willingness to explore new sounds. Plus, the sonic tightness of this EP certainly adds to the quality of Abe Vigoda’s music. While you wait for the follow-up to Skeleton give Reviver a spin or two, I promise you won’t regret it.
Track List
1. Don’t Lie
2. House
3. Endless Sleeper
4. Wild Heart
5. Reaper
Links
Abe Vigoda’s Myspace
Hilarious Interview
