Night On Fire

VHS Or Beta | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: September 21, 2004
• Release Date: September 21, 2004
• Label: CAROLINE ASTRALWERKS - CAT
• Copyright: (C) 2004 Astralwerks
• Total Length: 52:37
• Genres:
• ASIN: B000T1JODE
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,866 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent retro-80s sound remade for the 21st century, August 6, 2005

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Night on Fire (Audio CD)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VHS or Beta - An Obvious Choice, September 27, 2004

By 

Farb (SLC, UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night on Fire (Audio CD)

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

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dark but poppy, July 28, 2005

By 

Luke Pederson "Luke Pederson" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night on Fire (Audio CD)

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.