IV

Veruca Salt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 12, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sympathy 4 the R.I.
• ASIN: B000HCO854
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,092 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This album was DOA, April 6, 2007

By 

Jeremy Olsen (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IV (Audio CD)

I've been a long-time fan of VS, ever since hearing Spiderman '79 on American Thighs, way back in the early 90s. They have always producing great songs, full of witty lyrics and tight production. I've been to several shows - both pre- and post-breakup. I actually liked Resolver and I REALLY wanted to like this album (especially having to wait 5+ years for it!) but this album is trash, pure and simple.

There is no coherent "theme" to the CD, making it seem like the songs are disjointed and slapped together haphazardly. Previous albums had a certain "flow" to them, each song nicely transitioning from one to another. Not here. Louise has seemingly lost a lot of her vocal talent as well, as her two ranges seem to being either screaming at the top of her lungs or speaking in a conversational tone. Gone are the sexy whispers and actual singing Louise was known for.

I'm also not impressed by the "talent" of her new backing band members. Lackluster at best.

One other thing as well (to address certain previous reviewers comments) - just because someone doesn't like this album, isn't because they're bitter about the Gordon/Post break. But, if Louise didn't want the "new" VS to be compared to the "old" VS, why keep the name? Answer: It's easier to ride the coat-tails of an established band name, then strike out on your own. It's only logical to compare the two and quite reasonable

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not living up to their potential?, April 18, 2007

By 

Katherine Hubbard (Springfield, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IV (Audio CD)

I have been a Veruca Salt fan for a long time. I drove from Kentucky, to Chicago, to Champaign, IL and back to see them on tour in 2005. I loved Resolver, and the EP that they sold on their 2005 tour. I was greatly anticipating the new album.

When I purchased the cd, I was beyond disappointed. I thought the band sounded amateur, not like it was fronted by a seasoned music veteran. I would never guess that the woman singing on this album was the same woman singing on Resolver or the earlier albums. The only new song that I really enjoy is 'Circular Trend'.

I was glad to see that Blissful Queen was put on the album since I loved the demo, but I was confused why they put two songs from the just released EP on there. I thought that to be a waste of track space, any diehard VS fan knows that they have a large selection of demos and unreleased tracks that could've gone on the album instead. Also, since the EP and the album sound so different, they stick out like a sore thumb.

However, if they did a show within a hundred miles of me, I would drop everything to see them in a heartbeat. Louise and Stephen still put on an incredible live show.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a more stripped down and raw sound, February 14, 2007

By 

George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IV (Audio CD)

The Good
"So Weird" is dominated by a single guitar tone that remains constant throughout. Vocalist Louise Post delivers her vocals with such confidence and melody. A driving drum beat and raw guitar tones set "Centipede" into motion, while Post drops into a deeper tone. She returns to her comfort zone on the angst-ridden chorus. "Perfect Love" pushed the instrumentation to the background while Post's voice takes center stage. Louise gives her former Veruca Salt counterpart Nina Gordon a run for the money in the melody department here, although I prefer her in rocker chic mode.

"Sick as Your Secrets" has a tone in both music and words in which I could picture someone in a rubber room ready to go crazy. The chorus represents them losing it. All the rage and anger that's pent up in Pots' little frame is unleashed on the impactful track "Damage Done." "The Sun" is sort of a melancholy ballad that builds with emotion. Rookie drummer Kellii Scott makes her presents known with her bumping beats on "Save You."

The Bad
"Wake Up Dead" is a little too soft and emotional to match up with it's title. The length and arrangement of "Salt Flat Epic" can become a bit annoying.

The Verdict
Veruca Salt return with a more stripped down and raw sound on IV, but still manage to balance their album out with an equal amount of rockers and dark ballads. They're not as melodic as they once were, but they're still so indie.