Vivian Girls
In addition to sharing the name of one of Melbourne's finest bygone groups, Brooklyn's Vivian Girls sound Australian in other Chapter Music / best indie senses. The trio's head-first, shambling delivery couches a classic handling of melody reminiscent of QLD greats, Small World Experience, and there's a joy of fuzz and bubblegum sentiment reminiscent of Adelaide's Hit the Jackpot and Lindsey Low Hand. For antipodean listeners then, the debut album VIVIAN GIRLS mightn't be such a revelation as it's been to Americans - who only now seem to be catching onto so much Oceanic garage pop of yore. Of the current crop of US indies, though - Times New Viking, Eat Skull - Vivian Girls proceed the easiest; never sounding put-on, or strategically shambolic.
Because the band take no chances stylistically, and because the album runs at just twenty minutes, VIVIAN GIRLS is ostensibly slight. Songs are dressed-down in the same tinny reverb, roused surf rhythms, tambourine glimmer and 3-way vocal harmonies, yet each emerges as a clear-cut tune. Opener 'All the Time' sets up a dream syndicate of B-52s' pogo, Ramones' Blitzkreig pop and Electrelane's moody femininity. 'Such a Joke' has Breeders' crush lyricism and bass hinting at our own Love of Diagrams. 'Where Do You Run To' is one the year's best tunes - natural as walking down the stairs, sing-able by clusters of schoolgirls, doused in longing and the perfect way to waste time.
Release: Mini LP
To Cure: A broken heart
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