VHS or BETA - Bring on the Comets

VHS OR BETA
Bring on the Comets
Astralwerks
Grade: A/A-

Seemingly out of nowhere comes VHS OR BETA with one of the best records of the year in the twelve-song Bring on the Comets. With bombastic indie rock that can fill arenas and a French-disco funk kick to get your dance on, VHS OR BETA are set to rock you this fall and into the New Year.

Surprisingly out of Louisville, Kentucky, VHS OR BETA mix elements of pop rock, dance punk, and French funk into a product that’s addictingly appealing, enough to shake even the most curmudgeon. Started in 1997 to follow in the line of more noise-orientated bands, such as the Skin Graft line-up, the group soon progressed to incorporating electronic dance moves to their sound. This resulted in the 2002 EP Le Funk, followed by 2004’s stellar full-length Night on Fire. Surely, Night on Fire got VHS OR BETA knocked up in the minds and ears of listeners of good music, allowing the band to gain notice and tour with like-minded groups including the Faint, the Bravery, and Scissors Sisters. Though mostly existing throughout its history as the trio of guitarist/vocalist Craig Pfunder, bassist Mark Palgy, and drummer Mark Guirdy, the band is rounded out by multi-instrumentalist Chea Beckley (who is now featured in band promo photos) and guitarist Mike McGill on tour. One of the more startling elements of VHS or Beta is how incredibly powerful Pfunder’s vocals are live since his uber-skinniness appears like it would wither his intensity. Instead, it seems only to intensify the songs.

For Bring on the Comets, Pfunder and company wanted to take their sound to the next level; to add richness and depth to the songs without sacrificing catchy pop for simple generic blabbermouth crap. In this endeavor, the band employed producer Brandon Mason (Secret Machines, David Bowie) for help in crafting their music into one that can be pulled off just as well in a club than in an arena; though when played in a club it sounds like VHS OR BETA are going to rip a whole in the roof when rocking.

In anticipation of the release of Bring on the Comets, VHS OR BETA and Astralwerks released two singles (or at least streaming on Myspace) to whet fans’ appetites – “Can’t Believe a Single Word” and “Burn It All Down.” Placed side-by-side on the record, these two songs will convert anyone into a fan of VHS OR BETA. “Can’t Believe a Single World,” the fourth song on the record, kicks off with drums and a sliding guitar riff before Pfunder walks in with one go on the verse before the rest of the band comes and then soars on the amazing chorus. The flow, rhythm, riffs, and vocals on the chorus of “Can’t Believe a Single World” will completely grab your shoulders and shake you all around. After this bout of colossal pop rock has worked you over comes the funk bass and electronic drum-driven “Burn It All Down.” Clearly the most dance club-centric song on the record, “Burn It All Down” gets your ass cheeks clapping while still maintaining a modicum of rock. With just these two songs, Bring on the Comets would be considered a strong album. But, what there’s more; another set of songs to push the album from a good album to stellar.

Setting the agenda with the minute-long instrumental electro dance “Euglama,” “Love in My Pocket” first illustrates VHS OR BETA and Pfunder’s powerful and catchy vocals. “Love in My Pocket” takes a spell to get moving, but when you hit the chorus, you are rocking along more than expected. “She Says,” featuring Jim James of My Morning Jacket on backing vocals, and “Take It or Leave It” are both solid numbers where album consistency is maintained even if the heights aren’t reached. For your next play in this regard, you turn to the outstanding title track. After the instrumental set up “Alpha Theta,” “Bring on the Comets” slowly builds steam underneath atmospheric guitars with an ending crescendo that leaves you with goosebumps. When VHS OR BETA played “Bring on the Comets” at their show in STL, it was clear that the song is a emotionally highpoint for the band. Following is “Fall Down Lightly” the guitars match the vocal cadence perfectly and the drums and bass offer a dancing feel. “We Could Be One” rides like a lost Depeche Mode number with better vocals, while “Time Stands Still” is somewhat generic pop rock for this band. Bring on the Comets closes on “The Stars Where We Came From” with Carl Broemel of MMJ adding pedal steel to Pfunder’s lighter vocals and epic album closer.

Now armed with a terrific new set of songs and a live show to write home about, VHS OR BETA are primed for anything. Link up with these guys now, so you don’t have to regret being so late to the game.