Customer Reviews

Vee Vee

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I personally think the best Archers of Loaf album was their first, Icky Mettle, and that each one after that was slightly worse than the one before (although i love them all, and wouldn't give any of them lower than 4 stars). This album, their 3rd release after Icky Mettle and the GOAT EP, seemed to be a little heavier on the feedback and noise, and s little lighter on catchy melodies. Although there are several very catchy tunes ("Underdogs of Nipomo", "Floating Friends", "Harnessed in Slums"), for the most part, they are less melodic and energetic, but more diverse and intricate than their earlier work. All-in-all, though, this is another classic release for AOL.

The Archers of Loaf burst onto the indie/college scene in 1993 with the electric "Icky Mettle", receiving critical praise for their efforts. After releasing an EP that was truly a tease, they produced probably their best sounding album, if not their best. "Vee Vee" contains the catchy, melodic riffs that Mettle did, but with more crunch. The guitars are louder and seem to bark out the notes; the drums sound as though they're echoing throughout a large haunted house; the fluent bass seems to ride back and forth like a teeter-totter; and the voice of Eric Bachman (the gift behind the band) echoes and screams as though he's been trapped down a well for days. The formation of these performances is blended beautifully, tickling the senses with every listen. Such notables include "Harnessed in Slums", "Greatest of All Time", and "Let the Loser Melt". This is the album that turned me to a world of music I had no idea existed.

The Archers are one of the finest bands I've ever heard, and certainly, one of the best live. And a good Archers song, like "Harnessed and Slums," becomes a classic by anyone's standard. This album is a masterpiece, and is by no means, an easy listen. The songs are very complex and when they grow on you, the genius is apparent.

Is this album a lost masterpiece of the Nineties? The Archers came growling out of the South with a series of brilliant, skewed singles (see The Speed of Cattle). Vee Vee was their first full length collection & it is loaded from beginning to end with bizarre humor, unpredictable song structures & a knack for self-examination one part Kurt Cobain & two parts pothead. They failed to take over the world, although they can still pack an East Coast club on a rumor because of their repertoire (which includes many ace instrumentals)& live chops. There isn't a weak cut on this collection. In fact, the album gets stronger until it flames into an amazing song, Let the Loser Melt, that lifts off as two minute instrumental before the second stage rocket ignites. Vee Vee closes with a perverse homage to all us geekoid underachievers who relate to The Archers of Loaf. Highly recommended.

DJ Rix WFMU

Vee Vee is typical Archers of Loaf, which is to mean typically amazing and fantastic. Pavement gets all the hype (and, for the most part, deservedly so), but these guys were just as important to the 90's indie movement.

If you like anything along the lines of Pavement, Modest Mouse,or Sonic Youth. I would reccommend this. The songs are complex and I'm still listening to this album after 6 years.

Vee Vee is awesome. If you already like Archers of Loaf, then you probably own it, but if not, I would recommend it for any fan of 90's indie of any sort, but especially Pavement. Archers of Loaf are not, however, Pavement, despite the ramshackle songs and (sometimes) lo-fi presentation. They definitely carved out their own niche. The album is worth the price simply for "Greatest of Äll Time" and "Harnessed in Slums". Much more muscular and rockist than the first album, relatively speaking. Get it!

If you are sick of crud like Jewel, Spice Girls, All Saints, etc etc clogging the radio waves, simply turn off your radio, buy this CD (& their others), put your headphones on, turn out your lights, lie on the bed & you will hear the history of rock'n'roll: raw, unwieldy and visceral. Along with Pavement's "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain", "Vee Vee" is the album of the decade. Ignore at your peril...

Archers Of Loaf's "Vee Vee" is a good album that's hindered by the singer's voice and unevenness. The singer's voice is definitely not friendly and soothing - there's a good chance you might not like him (he's very punkish sounding - I think he's horrible, honestly). It's pretty hard to make out most of the lyrics, so I couldn't tell you what the songs are about. Thankfully, though the album as a whole is uneven, there are some good tracks here with pretty catchy hooks. It's mostly standard indie rock, although they *do* throw in a few new things into the mix (not a lot though - see the beginning of "Nevermind The Enemy"). For indie rock fans this is a decent album, but you could probably live without it. Definitely not for everyone. If you like the singer and style then I would slightly recommend this.

Highlights include:
"Step Into The Light" (sort of)
"Harnessed In Slums"
"Nevermind The Enemy"
"Greatest Of All Times"
"Floating Friends" (parts of it)
"Nostalgia"
"Let The Loser Melt"
"Deth In The Parrk" (sort of)