Vetiver
Complete Strangers
Easy Sound Recording Co. [2015]
Fire Drill Album Review: Complete Strangers is an apt title for Vetiver’s sixth album, as it finds the band (led by songwriter Andy Cabic) moving away from their folk-rock roots. The album opens with “Stranger Still,” a mellow track that features bubbling keyboards, quiet sax additions, trip-hop style beats, and Cabic’s boyish tenor. From there, the album refuses to stick to one style, which is both its strength and weakness; Complete Strangers veers wildly between José González-style indie folk to synth-heavy art rock balladry a la Duke-era Genesis, to dusty Rocky Votolato-esque alt-country, and penultimate track “Edgar” even brings a string section to the proceedings. As an album it’s a bit of a disjointed experience, though each tack more or less works well on its own—a satisfying but scatterbrained experience.
Vetiver Website
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Easy Sound Recording Co.
– Reviewed by Simon Workman
Simon Workman has loved rock n' roll ever since his dad made him Beatles and Beach Boys mix tapes as a kid. These days his musical interests have a wide range, though he still has a strong connection to the music of the 60s and 70s. He lives in Dayton and teaches English at Sinclair Community College.
- Simon Workmanhttps://thefirenote.com/author/sworkman/
- Simon Workmanhttps://thefirenote.com/author/sworkman/
- Simon Workmanhttps://thefirenote.com/author/sworkman/
- Simon Workmanhttps://thefirenote.com/author/sworkman/
