henry darger redux - luther
SXSW was intense, as always. There was more to see, do, and drink than any one person could possibly experience, and I tried; even, like most Austinistes, through a full time job. Included in these efforts were our PartyEnds events, one of which was the phenominal Four on the Floor, thanks almost entirly to hard working all around tough-guy Dustin of the Always Already. We had some of the finest beer I've had in a long while and some of the finest under the radar bands I've seen in my life. One of which was Brooklyn's Vivian Girls.
(photo by John at Four on the Floor, more here)
I have have gone back and forth with grungy, slacker rock for years, and I've come to the conclusion that I totally love it when it's done right, and can certainly haaaaate it when it's done wrong. The Vivian Girls are doing something right, in that wonderful way where you can't quite put your finger on it. Dissonant and melodic, feminine and abrasive, they ride a thin line punctuated by a charming lethargy reserved for bands who obviously make music they enjoy.
They sound something like an all girl Black Lips without as much annoying bubble-gum pop and urinating on the audience (at least they didn't when I saw them). Crunchy guitar and spacy-reverb vocals trudge over punky drums and bouncy base-lines; the songs are timely and catchy with a great aesthetic quality. They also lack the pretension engrained in so many similarly hip groups, opting for a much more genuine lackadasical feel that suits the style of music much better.
I have high hopes for these ladies in the near future, and you can expect they will show up on Party Ends again soon. Track down or order a copy of their upcoming self titled LP on Mauled by Tigers in early May. They'll be through Austin again later in May as well, but we'll remind you. This is great, listen to it.
MP3: Vivian Girls - Tell the World 
Comments
You tesase. I saw the picture and thought the post was going to say something about a henry darger exhibit in town.
I am gonna go check out Vivian Girls now, I like the drummers scissor tattoo.
Posted by: Jennifer Perkins | April 11, 2008 11:00 AM