Customer Reviews

Night on Fire

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is VHS or Beta's second album, and even though it's been out almost a year (released September, 2004), the band is still out there touring in support of this album, finding new fans every day. I am one of those.

"Night on Fire" (10 tracks, 52 min.) starts of with the title track, and the second you hear the lead singer, you think, "wow, has Simon Lebon joined VHS or Beta"? In fact, the first 2 tracks have an overall "Duran Duran" feel to it, and would fit in very nicely next to "Girls on Film". After that, the band sounds much more distinct (albeit it still inviting comparisons). There are several instrumentals and almost-instrumentals on here that are among the best tracks on the album: "Forever" is hypnotic behind the "Forever on my own" chorus; "Nightwaves" is full of energy; and the best is saved for last: the closer "Irreversible" is a 9 min. instrumental blowout that synthesizes the band's sound perfectly. I find myself playing that track more than any other.

I saw VHS or Beta in concert not long ago. Live they rock out, and make even the wallflowers in the audience dance along, you just can't resist it. If you have a chance to see them, doooo eet.

VHS or Beta - What an amazing first full album effort. I love the Post-Punk inspired guitar styling (ala Gene Loves Jezebel) and the pounding bass lines (ala Shriekback). Obvious comparisons will be made to the Cure because of the vocals, but VOB share other sonic and structure similarities with the Cure as well. They have updated this post-punk revival sound with the sound of techno-disco (ala Blue Six) and House music (ala Underworld). 4 of the 10 songs are instrumentals (ala Dif Juz), which takes courage in this vocally dominated market. VOB are fresh, energetic, and danceable, and they let their guitars sing. If they maintain their musical and creative integrity, they can become post-punk legends.
Compare to:
The Cure, Gene Loves Jezebel, Shriekback, The Bolshoi, Dif Juz, O'Rang, Underworld, Wire, Chameleons UK, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand

If VHS Or Beta had been around in the 80s, it's a pretty safe bet that Donnie Darko would've listened to their music in his bedroom while awaiting instructions from the giant rabbit. They have a similar sound to The Bravery and The Faint - both of whom are also good bands - but 'Night On Fire' is definitely a cut above. The album mixes new wave with more contemporary electro sounds, and while there isn't a whole lot of variation from song-to-song, everything is good and there is no filler in any of the ten tracks. The highlights would probably have to be 'Forever', which sounds like Daft Punk in the 'Discovery'-era, and the opening track, 'Night On Fire', which more-or-less encapsulates their slick new wave sound. If you are a fan of this style of music, you will definitely not be disappointed with VHS Or Beta.

If you've already heard this album and you're looking for something similar, I'd recommend Cut Copy's 'Bright Like Neon Love' - Cut Copy are an Australian band, and of all of the new school electro albums that have come out in the last few years, theirs and 'Night On Fire' are among the best.

It is like updated 80's music, but not the same updated 80's that other bands are doing. I like their one foot in dance music and one foot in rock music. I like the whole CD including the instrumentals some others seem to not like, especially "Irreversable" and "Forever".

Now let us talk about the song "Alive". I can't believe it hasn't gotten more fave mentions. I can't stop listening to it at all. Very hooky and a fabulous guilty pleasure. I make no apologies for being madly in love with that song.

When I first heard them I thought of The Cure (who I have also been listening to a lot lately). Music evokes Duran Duran/Daft Punk/The Cure. I am not saying anything new here that everyone else hasn't already mentioned. So get out there and crank the song "Alive" to the loudest volume possible.

It's an odd album - where does it fit? Daft Punk? LCD Soundsystem? Kind'a in between? Either way, it's punchy and great to listen to. It will often make you wonder if The Cure had something to do with it at times.

Some of the tracks are a little off (like the last one - 'Irreversible' - seems to go nowhere fast at times) while others are catchy/hard synth-popped instrumentals. A real fave is 'Dynamize'. You can't play this one loud enough, and if driving, watch how fast you're going.

if you like anything that was popular in the 80s, you will not regret buying this album. VHS or BETA take the best of the 80s and put their own style to work and end up with something that you will not be able to stop listening to. endlessly danceable, really good lyrics to match, and craig pfunder, i want to marry you and have your babies...julian who??

good work vhs or beta: you should be proud of this.

I saw VHS or Beta last night at the Louisville Palace and they rocked! I came to see Duran Duran (of course) and don't usually enjoy opening acts, but these guys were great! From the first word out of the lead singers mouth, I thought of Robert Smith of The Cure. Some people are suggesting that comparisons found in the music/sound to older bands are a bad thing. I disagree. I think it's refreshing in comparison to 95% of the music being played on the radio these days. After all, isn't imitation the highest form of flattery?

I will definitely be following these guys closer from now on and you should too!

P.S. I am from Louisville too.

If you love their single, "Night on Fire", you'll probably like a few other songs on the album as well. The album is very upbeat, almost in a bubble gum kind of way. It's a bit sweep for me. But if you like dance rhythms and energetic music, this could be right for you. I just don't find myself reaching for it very often. I probably should have bought the single and stuck with that.

VHS Or Beta is probably my favorite album in the electroclash genre (not that that's saying much - there aren't many good albums in this genre yet - Cut Copy's "Bright Like Neon Love" is also very good although I'm not 100% sure if it's considered electroclash). Every song is catchy and interesting, and the singer is pretty good for the band's style (he's Asian but sure doesn't sound like it!). If there's any song you've heard off this album it's probably "Night On Fire" as it has a music video and is an underground hit (it was on a "Urban Outfitters" mix CD!). Musically the songs are distinctly 80's and electroclash. The only "bad" track here is the last one, "Irreversible". It also loses its catchy momentum during the last half, but they're still all good. I wouldn't call this a classic (for its lack of a "wow" factor and the singer - he's not all that great and likable), but you'll still probably enjoy it. If you like 80's rock or electroclash, though, you will most definitely enjoy this album! Recommended!

Highlights include:
everything except for "Irreversible"

I really like this CD- there are a couple of instrumental tracks, but even those are good. Tracks 1,2,4,7& 9 are killer! This CD is highly recommended. It has an 80s vibe to it, but an also an alternative music vibe...this has not left my CD player since I discovered it a year ago.