Vetiver: Complete Strangers [Album Review]

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
Vetiver Facebook
Easy Sound Recording Co.

– Reviewed by Simon Workman

• Author
• Recent Posts

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's still got a strong connection to the music of the 60s and 70s. He lives in Dayton and is currently working on a PhD in English literature at the University of Cincinnati. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @simonworkman.

Latest posts by Simon Workman (see all)

• Andrew Gabbard: Cedar City Sweetheart [Album Review] - March 24, 2023
• Eyelids: A Colossal Waste Of Light [Album Review] - March 10, 2023
• Okonski: Magnolia [Album Review] - February 24, 2023