Thursday, May 21, 2009
Viva Voce’s fifth album, Rose City, was recorded in just under a month, and it sounds that way. But in Voce’s case, it works to their advantage. The band added two new members (Evan Railton, Corrina Repp) for the recording of Rose City, giving the music a much fuller, more tightly constructed sound. The album has a consistent, almost identifiable aesthetic that runs through its 10 tracks, and the cryptic lyrics and catchy melodies juxtapose perfectly. (Who can resist smiling when the phrase “die a little every time” is accompanied by a pitch-perfect Beach Boys-style vocal harmony?) Even after four listens, it’s tough to pinpoint which tune might be the single. And an album where every song has the potential to be a hit is generally worth listening to.