Album Cover
Vuvuvultures definitely beat to their own drum with their new album Push/Pull.
Opener Ctrl Alt Mexicans is gleaming with synth, garage guitars and a bass line that is exactly like the bass line in Muse’s Time Is Running Out. It is unique but I don’t think it will break any records or even climb to the top of the charts.
Steel Bones, is a little predictable for a band in this genre. It has lead single written all over it so I understand why they chose it as the lead single. Unfortunately, with its likeable chorus and wearisome drum beats it sounds like a track that is already out there.
Deaf Epic is another droning track that will grow tired after a couple of listens. The balance is then restored with the fabulous Your Thoughts Are a Plague, with a nice dash of groove and a hint of Rock n Roll, it effectively blends together to create a decent track.
The tracks goes slightly uphill from here, Whatever You Will makes a more lasting effect, the build of spirited vocals and soft guitar twinning sweetens the ears, until a generic join-the-dots chorus undoes the accomplished work.
This album does have potential but I feel like they are just missing something. The album is full of little moments that threaten to connect before missing the mark.
The Professional has similar sombre beats to the other tracks, I think the problem I have with this album is the baselines - they’re not distinctive. Every song ends up sounding the same if you have a similar baseline or melody.
Tell No One is another track that does manage to make a lasting impression but I'll Cut You sticks out as an absolute chore and you lose yourself in a bad way after the first minute of instrumental music.
The Strangler is melodic and does have some nice phrases but Another Hit falls back down to the mediocre level of some of the earlier tracks such as Deaf Epic. When Death of Us All begins I expect the same disappointment but half way through when the pace quickens, I start to enjoy the euphoric melody surrounded by intricate drum beats.
Closing track Empurrar/Puxar is languid and dark, a theme that seems to run through the core of the entire album.
Push/Pull is an appropriate title because that’s exactly how I felt, like I was being pushed in the wrong direction and then pulled back with a few gem like moments buried deep in the music. I really like their sound despite the laziness of some of the tracks.
The ebbs and flows against a backdrop of shallow colours, every now and again there is a burst of something more but what hurt them was the lack of continuity in this department.
The bass-driven dynamic creates drama on the record but the repetitive tone disappoints. Their album is unlikely to soar in my opinion but they do have something, a hint of gold that I can hear but it needs to be developed on the next album.
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