Bomb the Music Industry! - Vacation
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Record Label: Quote Unquote
Swing back. Swing back to the bygone days of the achingly patriotic Red Alert. It poised itself to be the pinnacle of Homeland Security's terrorist treatment and then puttered out, gas fumes and all. But in the world of music, none of that seemed to matter. After noise-act The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower hit the scene, an equally gutsy, playfully terrorizing name also appeared in the spark flickering extravaganza. Quote Unquote's post-punk juggernauts Bomb The Music Industry! figured out a way to hot-wire a widely feared political notion into black bloc glamour, and with Vacation, run away with style. But worry not, because it's all fun and games (quote, unquote).
If an overlooking-the-beach album cover is any indication, "Campaign for a Better Next Weekend" is Vacation's smooth breeze opener, bejeweled with a glowing piano introduction. As clever sound effects switch off playing peek-a-boo with subtle sneak attacks, the plot of twenty-three maniacal punks pulls us into their lair. Courtesy of the blunt psyche of head lyricist and producer Jeff Rosenstock, gruff public service announcements attack consciousness and soul, echoed by the siren sounds of unruly guitars, a sneaky trumpet, and bloodthirsty gang vocals. In one large wave, "it felt just like a vacation, but still we complained until we all felt jaded and started to hate it" pillars atop a musically complicated scene that can only be described as an explosive takeover of excitable shakes and yells.
In "Vocal Coach", "Everybody That You Love", and "Why, Oh Why, Oh Why" the almighty Weezer make a comeback, as "El Scorcho"-esque influences create a fiesta of oohs and whistle-talking that know how to dance obediently to each instrument's peppy note. Though after such events, the listener may question how much 'fun and games' the album truly is: a softer interlude sways in via the track "The Shit That You Hate", and "Hurricane Waves" follows in similarly calming suit, taken by a garage rock fervor and handclapping fever.
But where are the bombs? Where have the heavy explosions been stashed, the kidnapping scenes, the ransom note attached to the photo of the missing music industry executive? It's hidden within Rosenstock's honest and personable mental space, stored in mega keyboard and xylophone solos, along with wild pop-up traps in the guest contributions from Fake Problems, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Bayside, and Good Luck, and one giant red button that could end a commercially corrupt planet with one daring push. So sit back and grab a bag of popcorn, because Vacation is chock-full of aural acrobatics rolled up into its withered plaid sleeves. You just have to be daring enough to push that button.
I'm glad you put this up as a staff review. I have been digging this record lately - flat out truth is, the guy can really write a great pop song. "Vocal Coach" is super catchy and "Everybody That You Love" is awesome - maybe I'm biased because P+P put out that 7"
I'm glad you put this up as a staff review. I have been digging this record lately - flat out truth is, the guy can really write a great pop song. "Vocal Coach" is super catchy and "Everybody That You Love" is awesome - maybe I'm biased because P+P put out that 7"
For sure, agreed. And I didn't know P+P put out a 7". Rad.
I definitely have to check this out, and I got stoked when I read that Good Luck helped to contribute on here. I love them, they're all super-nice people. I miss my college-time in Bloomington, seeing them and hanging out with them at and outside of shows so frequently..
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